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NISSAN SILVIA (1996)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 37 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,047

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

84%

Good

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

2000cc Petrol

Solid Option

84% pass rate, £2047/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol2000cc30 years old37 tests95k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2000cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 2000cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,047
Per month£171/mo
Per week£39/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

84% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 30 years old, 84% of NISSAN SILVIAs from 1996 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 37 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 94,558 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 cars60th of 252(top 24%)
Rank among NISSAN models278th of 660(top 42%)
vs national average+2%(82% avg)
vs 1996 cars average+9%(75% avg)
vs NISSAN average+3%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

94,558

Average miles

vs

222,000

Expected for age

The average 1996 NISSAN SILVIA has 94,558 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2017 model with a 97% MOT pass rate, while the 2002 model has the lowest at 82%. The 1996 sits between the two at 84%.

NISSAN SILVIA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
2020100%40103,741 mi
201992%3682,855 mi
201888%3489,042 mi
201797%6297,712 mi
201687%47103,596 mi
201594%6795,503 mi
200282%95110,588 mi
200188%5890,917 mi
200089%9395,826 mi
199996%9797,107 mi
199684%3794,558 mi
199291%4397,449 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 1996 NISSAN SILVIA

The 1996 NISSAN SILVIA is a family car with a 2000cc petrol engine. 37 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 24% of all 1996 cars for reliability.

With an average of 94,558 miles at 30 years old, NISSAN SILVIA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1996 NISSAN SILVIA Fuel Costs

The 2000cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1996 NISSAN SILVIA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,047 171/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 84% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

NISSAN SILVIA Reliability Trend

The NISSAN SILVIA has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 0 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1996 NISSAN SILVIA

At 30 years old, the NISSAN SILVIA 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 2017 model has the highest pass rate at 97%. Note: with only 37 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1996 NISSAN SILVIA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 30 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

Medium risk

With an average of 95k 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 1996 NISSAN SILVIA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
NISSAN SILVIA(1996)84%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2047
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)67%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2597+£550
MAZDA MX-5(1998)75%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£220
BMW 3 SERIES(1998)79%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£30
BMW Z3(1997)75%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£30

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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