Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1991 Nissan Figaro?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1991 Nissan Figaro?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1991 Nissan Figaro?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 1991 Nissan Figaro vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

34% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 1991 Nissan Figaro reliable?

Based on MOT data from 5,385 vehicles, the 1991 Nissan Figaro has a first-time MOT pass rate of 70.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1991 Nissan Figaro?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Nissan Figaro (1991)

Q: What are common problems with the 1991 Nissan Figaro?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1991 Nissan Figaro are: Oil leak, but not excessive (67.9% of vehicles), Oil leak (66.2% of vehicles), Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (47.2% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

5,385 real MOT outcomes analysed • 70.2% first-time pass rate

1991 Nissan Figaro

CarHunch analysed 5,385 real MOT records for the 1991 Nissan Figaro. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 1991 Nissan Figaro passes its first MOT attempt just 70.2% of the time, sitting 9.8 percentage points below the UK average—a meaningful gap that suggests these cars need more remedial work than most. With over a third (34.1%) having recorded dangerous defects at some point, you're buying into a cohort with genuine safety concerns that warrant careful pre-purchase inspection.

At 106,000 miles median mileage, these Figaros have covered typical distance for their age, but the 5.18 average failures per test and 21.5 advisories per vehicle indicate chronic wear affecting braking, suspension, and electrics. Before committing, have any prospect independently inspected by someone familiar with 1990s Japanese microcars—the numbers here suggest preventative maintenance and proper repair will be essential to reliability.

The 1991 Nissan Figaro has a below-average first-time pass rate (70.2% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

70.2%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

34.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

5.18

Over 16.4 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

106k

Middle half: 82k–129k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 21.5 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 5,385 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 5,385 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 67.9%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Oil leak

Lighting 47.2%

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Tyre wear 46.2%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Suspension & steering 28.7%

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component · Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil · Nearside Steering rack gaiter split

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Wipers & washers 28.7%

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid · Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively

Brake wear 25.2%

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1991.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 5,385 Nissan Figaro cars.

Before you buy a 1991 Nissan Figaro

Based on MOT data from 5,385 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 34.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	5,335	70.1%	5.22

Colour Breakdown

Based on 5,809 Nissan Figaro vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Green 28%

1,628

Grey 25.8%

1,496

Blue 19.6%

1,139

Beige 10.2%

592

Pink 5.6%

323

Black 3.4%

199

Red 2%

115

Purple 1.8%

104

Brown 1.6%

White 1.3%

Turquoise 0.4%

Yellow 0.4%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1991 Nissan Figaro vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

106,334

typical

81,941

low mileage

129,272

high mileage

Half of all 1991 Nissan Figaro vehicles fall between 81,941 and 129,272 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 81,941 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 81,941–129,272 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1991 Nissan Figaros sit.

⚠ Over 174,517 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1991 Nissan Figaro — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 55% of 1991 Nissan Figaros are still active.

2,004 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 55% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

16.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

5.18

Avg failures per vehicle

21.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Nissan Figaro: All Figaro years → Which year to buy? →

1992

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Buyer beware — pass it on