Datsun 240Z / 260Z Problems by Year
The Datsun 240Z and its successor, the 260Z, are iconic Japanese sports cars that challenged European supremacy in the 1970s by offering stunning E-Type-esque styling and reliable inline-six performance. In the UK, they are highly revered classic cars, prized for their beautiful proportions, mechanical simplicity, and tunability. Due to the UK’s damp climate, surviving original examples are exceedingly rare, with rust being the ultimate enemy of these cars. Reliability of the L-series engine is legendary, provided the twin SU-style carburetors are correctly tuned. It is a fantastic choice for classic car enthusiasts who want a stunning, reliable weekend cruiser or a base for a historic track car.
Select a year below to see the specific problems affecting that model year, with estimated repair costs and severity ratings.
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Browse Datsun 240Z / 260Z in our Directory
View MOT history, registration data, and reliability scores for the Datsun Datsun 240Z / 260Z.
View Datsun 240Z / 260Z DirectoryBuying Tips for the Datsun 240Z / 260Z
- ✓Rust is the absolute priority; meticulously inspect the floor pans, battery tray, spare wheel well, and chassis rails.
- ✓Check the condition of the twin Hitachi (SU-style) carburetors; they require specialist balancing for the engine to run smoothly.
- ✓Verify the health of the manual gearbox, listening for worn synchros, particularly when shifting into second gear.
- ✓Examine the interior dashboard for cracks, as original uncracked dashes are incredibly rare and expensive to replace.
- ✓Look for evidence of poor previous restorations; lots of body filler (Bondo) is a common cover-up for severe rot.
- ✓Check the electrical system, as old wiring looms can become brittle and cause erratic issues with lights and gauges.