CarCostCheck

Nissan Serena (2021)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 188 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,386

£199/month

MOT Pass Rate

78%

Average

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1997cc Petrol

Check Carefully

78% pass rate, £2,386/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Petrol1997cc5 years old188 tests90k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1997cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631
Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£2,386
Per month£199/mo
Per week£46/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p 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. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

78% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data.

78% of MOT tests on Nissan Serenas from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 188 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 90,206 miles.

Got a Nissan Serena you're looking at?

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

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 models3295th of 3,336(bottom 2%)
Rank among Nissan models364th of 635(bottom half)
vs average of all models-4%(82% avg)
vs 2021 models average-14%(92% avg)
vs Nissan average-3%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

90,206

Average miles

vs

22,200

Expected for age

The average 2021 Nissan Serena had 90,206 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is well above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.

Looking at a specific Nissan Serena?

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

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

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 2021 scores 78%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Nissan Serena by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202494%3162,927 mi
202178%18890,206 mi
202085%15990,524 mi
201989%26399,774 mi
201884%33469,297 mi
201789%36475,853 mi
201690%20878,845 mi
201590%26284,995 mi
201490%51973,359 mi
201394%1,27570,695 mi
201289%77972,979 mi
201189%44376,726 mi
201084%56378,267 mi
200986%37676,005 mi
200886%35287,771 mi
200781%247103,672 mi
200678%125110,825 mi
200578%65116,815 mi
200480%35100,029 mi
199974%3898,386 mi
199767%30103,215 mi
199556%36112,824 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 2021 Nissan Serena

The 2021 Nissan Serena is a family car. Our records list a 1997cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 188 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 2% of 2021 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 90,206 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Nissan Serena owners cover more miles than the average driver. High-mileage examples should be checked carefully for wear on suspension, brakes, and drivetrain components.

2021 Nissan Serena Fuel Costs

The 1997cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2021 Nissan Serena?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,386 (£199/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 78% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 2021 Nissan Serena

At 5 years old, the Nissan Serena offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2013 model has the highest pass rate at 94%.

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.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 90k 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.

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 2021 Nissan Serena stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrEst. Ins. GroupTotal/yr
Nissan Serena(2021)78%£1,631£200Grp 18-32£2,386
Volkswagen Golf(2019)92%£1,398£200Grp 12-25£1,853-£533
Nissan Qashqai(2020)93%£1,398£200Grp 12-25£1,853-£533
MINI Cooper(2019)92%£1,398£200Grp 12-25£1,853-£533
Hyundai Tucson(2019)90%£1,398£200Grp 12-25£1,853-£533

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 2021 Nissan Serena

Is the 2021 Nissan Serena reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 78% of MOT tests on 2021 Nissan Serenas ended in a pass, from 188 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 4 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2021 Nissan Serena cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,386 a year (£199 a month): £1,631 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 Nissan Serena?

78% of 188 MOT tests on the 2021 Nissan Serena ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 3295th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (bottom 2%).

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 2021 Nissan Serena?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Nissan Serena is 90,206 miles, which is well above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.

Related Nissan Models

Explore other Nissan cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Nissan Serena.

Check a specific Nissan Serena

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a Nissan Serena? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

With outstanding finance included

Share this page

X