Nissan Sunny

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 7 model years from 1,058 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

76%

Total Tests

1,058

Highest Pass Rate

1992 (82%)

Years Covered

About the Nissan Sunny

The Nissan Sunny was MOT tested 1,058 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 7 model years (1990 to 1999), with an average pass rate of 76%. That's 6 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data, so check the year-by-year data carefully before buying. Our records list petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1992 model has the highest pass rate at 82% from 119 tests. The 1993 model has the lowest at 70%. The 12 point gap means pass rates vary somewhat between years, but no year is dramatically different. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Older Nissan Sunnys tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 5 percentage points across model years.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 84,337 miles, while the newest (1999) averages 103,550 miles.

Compared to the Nissan brand average of 81%, the Sunny is 5 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Nissan models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

£1,631

Road Tax

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,411

Per month£201/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 1999 details

How reliable is the Nissan Sunny?

vs average of all models-6% (82% avg)

vs Nissan brand average-5% (81% avg)

Best to worst year spread12 percentage points

Reliability trendDeclining over years

Nissan Sunny by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1999	88%	32	103,550 mi
1995	72%	164	78,595 mi
1994	72%	235	83,534 mi
1993	70%	242	79,676 mi
1992	82%	119	78,131 mi
1991	77%	88	84,270 mi
1990	71%	178	84,337 mi

Questions about the Nissan Sunny

Is the Nissan Sunny reliable?

Across its 7 model years in our data (1990 to 1999), the Nissan Sunny averages a 76% MOT pass rate, from 1,058 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 6 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 1992 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 82%.

Which year Nissan Sunny has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1992 Nissan Sunny has the highest MOT pass rate at 82%, while the 1993 model has the lowest at 70%, a 12 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.