Nissan Sunny (1993)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 242 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,561

£213/month

MOT Pass Rate

70%

Average

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Check Carefully

70% pass rate, £2,561/year to run. 12 points below average.

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Petrol1998cc33 years old242 tests80k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,561

Per month£213/mo

Per week£49/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.

Reliability Verdict

70% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Nissan brand average of 81%.

70% of MOT tests on Nissan Sunnys from 1993 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 31 years old. That's based on 242 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 79,676 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1993 models139th of 188(bottom half)

Rank among Nissan models536th of 635(bottom 16%)

vs average of all models-12%(82% avg)

vs 1993 models average-6%(76% avg)

vs Nissan average-11%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

79,676

Average miles

229,400

Expected for age

The average 1993 Nissan Sunny had 79,676 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 229,400 miles for a 31-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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1992 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 82%, while the 1993 model has the lowest at 70%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Nissan Sunny by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

Volkswagen Golf

1991 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,411/year

80%

+10%

Mazda MX-5

1995 · 1840cc Petrol

£2,561/year

74%

+4%

Mercedes E

1994 · 2199cc Petrol

£2,888/year

79%

+9%

BMW 3 Series

1991 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,411/year

82%

+12%

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About the 1993 Nissan Sunny

The 1993 Nissan Sunny is a family car. Our records list a 1998cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 242 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 1993, the average MOT pass rate is 76%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 79,676 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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.

1993 Nissan Sunny Fuel Costs

The 1998cc 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 1993 Nissan Sunny?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,561 (£213/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 70% 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 1993 Nissan Sunny

At 33 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.

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.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 33 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.

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.

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 1993 Nissan Sunny 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 Sunny(1993)	70%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561
Volkswagen Golf(1991)	80%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,411-£150
Mazda MX-5(1995)	74%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561same
Mercedes E(1994)	79%	£1,958	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,888+£327
BMW 3 Series(1991)	82%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,411-£150

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 1993 Nissan Sunny

Is the 1993 Nissan Sunny reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 70% of MOT tests on 1993 Nissan Sunnys ended in a pass, from 242 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1993 Nissan Sunny cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,561 a year (£213 a month): £1,631 fuel, £375 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 1993 Nissan Sunny?

70% of 242 MOT tests on the 1993 Nissan Sunny ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 139th of 188 models first registered in 1993 (bottom half).

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% and the 1993 the lowest at 70%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1993 Nissan Sunny?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1993 Nissan Sunny is 79,676 miles, which is significantly below the expected 229,400 miles for a 31-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.