Used car guide

1991 Nissan Figaro: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1991 Nissan Figaros, from 757 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

757MOT tests in 2025
65%pass first time (all 1991 cars: 71%)
2,600typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1991 Nissan Figaros than on all cars registered in 1991.

  • Coil springs2× usual
    Nissan Figaro
    10% All 1991 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.5% of all 1991 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Rear fog light2.3× usual
    Nissan Figaro
    6.9% All 1991 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 2.9% of all 1991 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Rust in key structural areas2.8× usual
    Nissan Figaro
    4.4% All 1991 cars
    1.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.1% of all 1991 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Steering rack inner joints2.1× usual
    Nissan Figaro
    4.6% All 1991 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 1991 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

By area

The share of 1991 Nissan Figaro MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    29% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    27% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    20% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Tyres
    20% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    20% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Rust and bodywork
    14% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2008148Suspension 29%
2007236Suspension 30%
2006206Suspension 33%
2005212Suspension 41%
2004139Brakes 34%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1991 Nissan Figaros registered in 1991. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score