Nissan Serena (1997)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 30 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,806

£234/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 25-38

2283cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £2,806/year to run. 15 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Nissan Serena

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Diesel2283cc29 years old30 tests103k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2283cc)

~40 mpg

£1,676

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,806

Per month£234/mo

Per week£54/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Nissan brand average of 81%.

67% of MOT tests on Nissan Serenas from 1997 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 27 years old. That's based on 30 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 103,215 miles.

Got a Nissan Serena you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 models276th of 306(bottom 11%)

Rank among Nissan models596th of 635(bottom 7%)

vs average of all models-15%(82% avg)

vs 1997 models average-8%(75% avg)

vs Nissan average-14%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

103,215

Average miles

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1997 Nissan Serena had 103,215 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific Nissan Serena?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2013 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 78%. The 1997 scores 67%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Nissan Serena by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2024	94%	31	62,927 mi
2021	78%	188	90,206 mi
2020	85%	159	90,524 mi
2019	89%	263	99,774 mi
2018	84%	334	69,297 mi
2017	89%	364	75,853 mi
2016	90%	208	78,845 mi
2015	90%	262	84,995 mi
2014	90%	519	73,359 mi
2013	94%	1,275	70,695 mi
2012	89%	779	72,979 mi
2011	89%	443	76,726 mi
2010	84%	563	78,267 mi
2009	86%	376	76,005 mi
2008	86%	352	87,771 mi
2007	81%	247	103,672 mi
2006	78%	125	110,825 mi
2005	78%	65	116,815 mi
2004	80%	35	100,029 mi
1999	74%	38	98,386 mi
1997	67%	30	103,215 mi
1995	56%	36	112,824 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Land Rover Defender

1997 · 2500cc Diesel

£2,606/year

76%

+9%

Land Rover Discovery

1999 · 2487cc Diesel

£2,606/year

75%

+8%

Volvo V70

1999 · 2500cc Diesel

£2,606/year

72%

+5%

Volvo 800 Series

1996 · 2460cc Diesel

£2,606/year

74%

+7%

Check a Specific Nissan Serena

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 1997 Nissan Serena

The 1997 Nissan Serena is a large car. Our records list a 2283cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 30 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 11% of 1997 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 103,215 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Nissan Serena owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 Nissan Serena Fuel Costs

The 2283cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,676 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 1997 Nissan Serena?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,806 (£234/month), broken down as £1,676 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 67% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Nissan Serena Reliability Trend

The Nissan Serena has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage point.

Buying a Used 1997 Nissan Serena

At 29 years old, the Nissan Serena 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 2013 model has the highest pass rate at 94%. Note: with only 30 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

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 103k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 67% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 Serena stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Nissan Serena(1997)	67%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,806
Land Rover Defender(1997)	76%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,606-£200
Land Rover Discovery(1999)	75%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,606-£200
Volvo V70(1999)	72%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,606-£200
Volvo 800 Series(1996)	74%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,606-£200

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1997 Nissan Serena

Is the 1997 Nissan Serena reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 67% of MOT tests on 1997 Nissan Serenas ended in a pass, from 30 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 15 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1997 Nissan Serena cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,806 a year (£234 a month): £1,676 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 Nissan Serena?

67% of 30 MOT tests on the 1997 Nissan Serena ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 276th of 306 models first registered in 1997 (bottom 11%).

Which year Nissan Serena has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2013 Nissan Serena has the highest MOT pass rate at 94% and the 2006 the lowest at 78%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1997 Nissan Serena?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1997 Nissan Serena is 103,215 miles, which is below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.