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NISSAN SUNNY (1991)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 88 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,957

£163/month

MOT Pass Rate

77%

Average

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1597cc Petrol

Check Carefully

77% pass rate, £1957/year to run. 5 points below average.

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Petrol1597cc35 years old88 tests84k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1597cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1597cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£1,957
Per month£163/mo
Per week£38/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

77% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

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

At 35 years old, 77% of NISSAN SUNNYs from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 88 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 84,270 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 cars112th of 179(top 63%)
Rank among NISSAN models408th of 660(top 62%)
vs national average-5%(82% avg)
vs 1991 cars average-1%(78% avg)
vs NISSAN average-4%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

84,270

Average miles

vs

259,000

Expected for age

The average 1991 NISSAN SUNNY has 84,270 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-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 1992 model with a 82% MOT pass rate, while the 1993 model has the lowest at 70%. The 1991 sits between the two at 77%.

NISSAN SUNNY by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
199988%32103,550 mi
199572%16478,595 mi
199472%23583,534 mi
199370%24279,676 mi
199282%11978,131 mi
199177%8884,270 mi
199071%17884,337 mi

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About the 1991 NISSAN SUNNY

The 1991 NISSAN SUNNY is a small family car with a 1597cc petrol engine. 88 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1991, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 84,270 miles at 35 years old, NISSAN SUNNY 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.

1991 NISSAN SUNNY Fuel Costs

The 1597cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1991 NISSAN SUNNY?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,957 163/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 77% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

NISSAN SUNNY 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.

Buying a Used 1991 NISSAN SUNNY

At 35 years old, the NISSAN SUNNY 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 1992 model has the highest pass rate at 82%. Note: with only 88 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1991 NISSAN SUNNY's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 84k 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 1991 NISSAN SUNNY stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
NISSAN SUNNY(1991)77%£1137£265Grp 12-25£1957
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£90
BMW 3 SERIES(1990)84%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£90
ROVER MINI(1993)74%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£235
FORD ESCORT(1990)85%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£280

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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