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NISSAN TERRANO (1996)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 44 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,395

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

57%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2663cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

57% pass rate, £2395/year to run. 25 points below average.

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Diesel2663cc30 years old44 tests119k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2663cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245
Road Tax

Based on 2663cc

£395
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,395
Per month£200/mo
Per week£46/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

57% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 25 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the NISSAN brand average of 81%.

At 30 years old, 57% of NISSAN TERRANOs from 1996 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 44 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 119,395 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 cars247th of 252(top 98%)
Rank among NISSAN models657th of 660(top 100%)
vs national average-25%(82% avg)
vs 1996 cars average-18%(75% avg)
vs NISSAN average-24%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

119,395

Average miles

vs

222,000

Expected for age

The average 1996 NISSAN TERRANO has 119,395 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2001 model with a 84% MOT pass rate, while the 1995 model has the lowest at 67%. The 1996 sits between the two at 57%.

NISSAN TERRANO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200668%122121,620 mi
200567%485111,677 mi
200469%706116,456 mi
200372%470111,760 mi
200272%369111,902 mi
200184%147132,265 mi
200077%11995,651 mi
199972%187122,864 mi
199877%150118,678 mi
199767%82109,392 mi
199657%44119,395 mi
199567%55134,786 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 1996 NISSAN TERRANO

The 1996 NISSAN TERRANO is a large car with a 2663cc diesel engine. 44 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 98% of 1996 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 119,395 miles at 30 years old, NISSAN TERRANO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1996 NISSAN TERRANO Fuel Costs

The 2663cc diesel engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 1996 NISSAN TERRANO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,395 200/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 57% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

NISSAN TERRANO Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 1996 NISSAN TERRANO

At 30 years old, the NISSAN TERRANO 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 2001 model has the highest pass rate at 84%. Note: with only 44 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

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

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

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

Watch out

With an average of 119k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 57% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 TERRANO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
NISSAN TERRANO(1996)57%£1245£395Grp 30-42£2395
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1998)69%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2250-£145
LAND ROVER DEFENDER(1997)76%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£345
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(1998)77%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£345
FORD TRANSIT(1998)72%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£345

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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Related Guides

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