Nissan Almera (1997)
1997 Nissan Almera
CarHunch analysed 16,541 real MOT records for the 1997 Nissan Almera. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1997 Nissan Almera is notably less reliable than average, with a first-time MOT pass rate of 67.6% compared to the UK average of 80%, putting it in the weaker half of vehicles its age. The 14.8% of cars that have suffered dangerous defects is a meaningful buyer concern, though not exceptional for a 27-year-old model.
These Almerasl average 89,667 miles—fairly typical for their age—but accumulate 2.81 failures and 8.3 advisories per test, suggesting aging suspension, brakes, and emissions systems need close attention. Before purchasing one, get a professional pre-buy inspection focused on structural integrity and brake condition, as the weak pass rate reflects systemic wear rather than isolated problems.
What to check before buying a 1997 Nissan Almera
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Nissan Almera
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (98%) | 16,176 | 67.6% | 2.83 |
| Diesel (2%) | 361 | 66.6% | 2.19 |
| LPG (0%) | 4 | 69.6% | 2.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1997 Nissan Almera vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1997 Nissan Almera vehicles fall between 70,349 and 104,947 miles.
1997 Nissan Almera — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 135 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (6% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2022.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1997 Nissan Almera
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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48.5%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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45.3%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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38.7%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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37.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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37.4%
Oil leak
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31.7%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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31%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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25.2%
Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1997. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Nissan Almera?
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