CarCostCheck

NISSAN PATROL (1997)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 82 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,907

£242/month

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Average

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

4169cc Petrol

Check Carefully

74% pass rate, £2907/year to run. 8 points below average.

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Petrol4169cc29 years old82 tests127k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 4169cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 4169cc

£760
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£2,907
Per month£242/mo
Per week£56/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

74% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the NISSAN brand average of 81%.

At 29 years old, 74% of NISSAN PATROLs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 82 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 127,056 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars183th of 320(top 57%)
Rank among NISSAN models472th of 660(top 72%)
vs national average-8%(82% avg)
vs 1997 cars average-1%(75% avg)
vs NISSAN average-7%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

127,056

Average miles

vs

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 NISSAN PATROL has 127,056 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1999 model with a 94% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 74%. The 1997 sits between the two at 74%.

NISSAN PATROL by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200883%46103,053 mi
200776%8995,184 mi
200677%79123,503 mi
200578%274117,265 mi
200481%374131,944 mi
200382%158131,802 mi
200281%113130,474 mi
200174%80130,769 mi
200081%90132,710 mi
199994%124123,881 mi
199887%164116,735 mi
199774%82127,056 mi
199680%109146,298 mi
199577%69144,822 mi
199478%123164,209 mi
199388%59145,352 mi
199279%34114,010 mi

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About the 1997 NISSAN PATROL

The 1997 NISSAN PATROL is a performance with a 4169cc petrol engine. 82 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1997, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 127,056 miles at 29 years old, NISSAN PATROL owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 NISSAN PATROL Fuel Costs

The 4169cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 NISSAN PATROL?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,907 242/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 74% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

NISSAN PATROL Reliability Trend

Older NISSAN PATROLs tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 4 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1997 NISSAN PATROL

At 29 years old, the NISSAN PATROL is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 1999 model has the highest pass rate at 94%. Note: with only 82 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 NISSAN PATROL's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 29 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 127k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1997 NISSAN PATROL stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
NISSAN PATROL(1997)74%£1592£760Grp 35-50£2907
JAGUAR XK8(1997)81%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£660
JAGUAR XJ(1998)77%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397-£510
PORSCHE 911(1997)90%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2097-£810
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER(1999)79%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397-£510

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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