IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2003 Nissan Almera (N16)

The 2003 facelift gave the Sunderland Almera updated styling with chrome projector headlamps in a titanium surround, a retuned suspension, revised engines and a completely redesigned interior with a large centre display - the car that RAC's 2000-2007 guide treats as the one to have.

What changed for 2003

  • •Restyled front bumper, projector headlamps and revised rear lamps
  • •Retuned suspension and upgraded interior materials with a central colour or monochrome display
  • •Revised engine line-up, with the 1.5 and 1.8 petrols carrying the volume sales and the 2.2 dCi sitting at the top of the range

Common MOT watch-outs

  • !Rear arch, sill and fuel filler area corrosion on cars that lived outdoors
  • !Corroded brake pipes and rear flexis, plus seized handbrake cables
  • !Exhaust and catalytic converter damage, and diesel emissions failures from leaking injector seals
3
Known Issues
2
Serious
1
Moderate
0
Minor

All Known Issues

Timing Chain Stretch

SeriousEngine

The 1.5 and 1.8 petrols can develop chain rattle and cam/crank correlation issues, especially if oil changes have been missed.

Est. Repair Cost: £450–£900
Warning Signs:

Rattle on cold start, Engine management light, Flat running or poor idle

What to Inspect:
  • Start from cold with the bonnet open
  • Check for timing-related fault codes
  • Ask about oil-change intervals
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Rear Floor and Arch Corrosion

SeriousBodywork & Rust

Budget use and neglected rustproofing mean rear arches and floor edges often become the real MOT threat on surviving cars.

Est. Repair Cost: £300–£1,200
Warning Signs:

Bubbles on arch lips, Crusty floor seams, Corrosion advisories in MOT history

What to Inspect:
  • Inspect rear jacking points and floor edges
  • Look inside the boot and wheel well for rust
  • Check the front subframe as well as the body shell
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Crank and Cam Sensor Failure

ModerateElectrics & Electronics

Faulty sensors cause intermittent cutting out or a non-start, and are common enough to be a stock fix on ageing Almeras.

Est. Repair Cost: £80–£220
Warning Signs:

Random stalling, Cranks but won’t start, Engine light with intermittent faults

What to Inspect:
  • Warm-restart the car several times
  • Scan for stored sensor faults
  • Ask whether sensors have already been replaced
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Buying Tips for 2003 Nissan Almera (N16)

  • Pick the 1.8 petrol or the 1.5 dCi for cheap running and avoid the 2.2 dCi unless the history is complete
  • Check every electrical function - the facelift car's central display, climate control and windows are the parts that fail and cost to replace
  • Compare with an equivalent Note, since the E11 replaced this car and shares much of its hardware
2000–20022004–2006
Check a 2003 Nissan Almera (N16) by Registration