1998 Nissan Micra 1.3L Petrol · S467 DGT

As a 1.3L petrol engine from the late 90s, running costs are relatively modest. It falls into a lower insurance group and tax band, making it economical for city driving. Fuel economy should be decent for a car of this era, though it won't match modern hybrids.

Maintenance costs may be higher than expected due to the age-related wear. You should budget for suspension components (springs and mounts) and exhaust repairs. Expect an estimated annual running cost of approximately £700-£950, depending on your annual mileage and how much preventative maintenance is required to combat the documented corrosion.

Prioritise a thorough inspection of the underside. Specifically, look at the near-side and off-side rear inner suspension mounting areas and the inner sills, as these have been flagged for corrosion consistently since at least 2018. Use a torch to check the condition of the coil springs (front and rear) for heavy scale or thinning.

Secondly, inspect the drive shafts. The MOT history shows 'severely deteriorated' CV boots on both the nearside and offside front outer joints in 2022. Ensure these have been replaced to avoid expensive joint failures. Finally, check the tyres for perishing or cracking, as this has been a recurring issue, and inspect the exhaust system for heavy corrosion which has been noted in multiple tests since 2018.