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NISSAN UNCLASSIFIED (1997)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 38 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,907

£242/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

4169cc Petrol

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £2907/year to run. 11 points below average.

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Petrol4169cc29 years old38 tests92k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 4169cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 4169cc

£760
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£2,907
Per month£242/mo
Per week£56/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

71% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the NISSAN brand average of 81%.

At 29 years old, 71% of NISSAN UNCLASSIFIEDs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 38 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 92,409 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars236th of 320(top 74%)
Rank among NISSAN models541th of 660(top 82%)
vs national average-11%(82% avg)
vs 1997 cars average-4%(75% avg)
vs NISSAN average-10%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

92,409

Average miles

vs

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 NISSAN UNCLASSIFIED has 92,409 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-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 2019 model with a 88% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 63%. The 1997 sits between the two at 71%.

NISSAN UNCLASSIFIED by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202083%19480,045 mi
201988%33885,559 mi
201878%31398,608 mi
201782%20192,173 mi
201684%13092,691 mi
201583%131100,106 mi
201479%11782,089 mi
201375%12283,027 mi
201276%21895,583 mi
201176%159101,498 mi
201082%24387,067 mi
200978%28691,859 mi
200882%43788,907 mi
200776%42590,820 mi
200676%35592,051 mi
200577%288100,285 mi
200482%22095,613 mi
200383%16792,796 mi
200275%9693,844 mi
200163%6594,594 mi
200061%41113,356 mi
199988%6093,809 mi
199865%6382,473 mi
199771%3892,409 mi
199177%12183,984 mi

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About the 1997 NISSAN UNCLASSIFIED

The 1997 NISSAN UNCLASSIFIED is a performance with a 4169cc petrol engine. 38 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1997, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 92,409 miles at 29 years old, NISSAN UNCLASSIFIED 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.

1997 NISSAN UNCLASSIFIED Fuel Costs

The 4169cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 NISSAN UNCLASSIFIED?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,907 242/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 71% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

NISSAN UNCLASSIFIED Reliability Trend

Newer NISSAN UNCLASSIFIEDs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 4 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1997 NISSAN UNCLASSIFIED

At 29 years old, the NISSAN UNCLASSIFIED 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 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 88%. Note: with only 38 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 NISSAN UNCLASSIFIED'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 92k 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.

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