Nissan Terrano (1996)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 44 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,806

£234/month

MOT Pass Rate

57%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 30-42

2663cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

57% pass rate, £2,806/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

£1,676

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,806

Per month£234/mo

Per week£54/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p 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

57% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 25 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Nissan brand average of 81%.

57% of MOT tests on Nissan Terranos from 1996 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 28 years old. That's based on 44 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 119,395 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 models238th of 243(bottom 3%)

Rank among Nissan models632nd of 635(bottom 1%)

vs average of all models-25%(82% avg)

vs 1996 models average-18%(75% avg)

vs Nissan average-24%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

119,395

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1996 Nissan Terrano had 119,395 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2001 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 84%, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 67%. The 1996 scores 57%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Nissan Terrano by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2006	68%	122	121,620 mi
2005	67%	485	111,677 mi
2004	69%	706	116,456 mi
2003	72%	470	111,760 mi
2002	72%	369	111,902 mi
2001	84%	147	132,265 mi
2000	77%	119	95,651 mi
1999	72%	187	122,864 mi
1998	77%	150	118,678 mi
1997	67%	82	109,392 mi
1996	57%	44	119,395 mi
1995	67%	55	134,786 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Land Rover Defender

1997 · 2500cc Diesel

£2,606/year

76%

+19%

Land Rover Discovery

1998 · 2499cc Diesel

£2,606/year

77%

+20%

Volvo 800 Series

1996 · 2460cc Diesel

£2,606/year

74%

+17%

Volvo V70

1998 · 2461cc Diesel

£2,606/year

71%

+14%

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About the 1996 Nissan Terrano

The 1996 Nissan Terrano is a large car. Our records list a 2663cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 44 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 3% of 1996 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 119,395 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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 £1,676 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; 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 £2,806 (£234/month), broken down as £1,676 fuel, £375 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

Older Nissan Terranos tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 8 percentage points across model years.

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

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.

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 estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Nissan Terrano(1996)	57%	£1,676	£375	Grp 30-42	£2,806
Land Rover Defender(1997)	76%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,606-£200
Land Rover Discovery(1998)	77%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,606-£200
Volvo 800 Series(1996)	74%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,606-£200
Volvo V70(1998)	71%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,606-£200

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 1996 Nissan Terrano

Is the 1996 Nissan Terrano reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 57% of MOT tests on 1996 Nissan Terranos ended in a pass, from 44 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 25 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1996 Nissan Terrano cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,806 a year (£234 a month): £1,676 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1996 Nissan Terrano?

57% of 44 MOT tests on the 1996 Nissan Terrano ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 238th of 243 models first registered in 1996 (bottom 3%).

Which year Nissan Terrano has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2001 Nissan Terrano has the highest MOT pass rate at 84% and the 2005 the lowest at 67%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1996 Nissan Terrano?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1996 Nissan Terrano is 119,395 miles, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.