Is it Worth Buying a Nissan with over 100K Miles?

Japanese cars are well known for their solid build quality and matchless reliability, all over the world. Nissan, in particular, is a very popular car manufacturer with a history of over 75 years.

Nissan has established itself as a prestigious brand in the auto industry and its vehicles are quite sturdy, that would last countless miles and traverse challenging terrains if maintained properly. Let’s take a look at the most reliable Nissan vehicles and help you understand if it’s worth buying a Nissan with over 100k miles on the odometer.

Is it Worth Buying a Nissan with over 100K Miles?

Nissan cars are quite robust and solid in build quality. If a Nissan vehicle is kept in good shape and maintained properly, 100,000 miles on the odometer is normal. Such a car would be cheap to buy and economical to maintain, ensuring your peace of mind. According to RepairPal, a Nissan has to visit a repair shop only 0.3 times a year, with a probability of severe issues being just 13%.

If there’s one thing that can’t go wrong with a Japanese car, it’s reliability. You pick up a car magazine or check online data for top reliable automakers, and the top few names you come across are always Japanese.

This proves that the Japanese vehicles are solid in build quality, and Nissan is no exception. Nissan cars have sturdy engines, reliable transmission, and suspension systems and if looked after properly, nothing serious goes wrong for hundreds of thousands of miles. So, buying a Nissan with over 100k miles is totally worth it if it is mechanically sound and has a proper history of service.

Also read: 3 Reasons Why Nissans are so Cheap (Unreliable?)

What Problems do Nissans with over 100k Miles Have?

Despite their strong build quality, Nissan vehicles have some known problems that occur over 100k miles. These include Engine problems, CVT transmission issues, sunroof problems, rusting of the body parts, and faulty hood latch.

Nissan cars are a treat to own because of the cheap maintenance and low daily running costs. These cars are super reliable as well, but like other vehicles, some Nissan cars also have known problems. Especially once the car is driven over 100,000 miles. Let’s have a detailed look at these problems and average fixing costs.

1. Engine Problems

Nissan usually manufactures great engines with solid performance, but a few of them are notorious for various issues. The most noticeable problems are oil leakage, water pump failure, and timing belt issues. But all these problems occur once the car is driven well over 100k miles, usually 250,000 miles or above.

2. CVT Transmission Issues

Being the pioneers of CVT technology, Nissan’s idea was to launch a transmission system that offers efficiency and smooth shifting. Over the years, the CVT transmission in Nissan vehicles has shown multiple issues, such as very slow response, jerking and limping shifts, and overheating of the system. These issues usually occur after the car has driven over 150,000 miles.

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3. Sunroof Problems

This is a concerning issue with a few of the Nissan vehicles, especially the ones equipped with panoramic roofs. Owners have reported rattling sounds, leakage through the edges, and even exploding glass panels of the sunroof. Nissan conducted a wide range of recalls of its vehicles to sort out the issue.

4. Rusting

The Nissan vehicles notorious for this problem are the limited generations of Navara truck and Altima sedan. The problem is serious that occurs under the carpets and certain other hidden panels. Although it occurs after 250,000 miles and years of service, it is very costly to repair.

5. Faulty Hood Latch

There have been more than a dozen reports of hoods flying open and blocking the view, or damaging the front screen on a few of Nissan Altima cars while traveling. There had been 16 accidents due to this problem and many more emergencies as the cars were moving on the road. This also happens due to over usage and once the car is well beyond the 150,000-mile mark.

Cost of Fixing these problems

	Fault	Cost
1	Engine problems	$600-800
2	CVT transmission issues	$800
3	Sunroof problem	$650
4	Rusting	$1,200-1,800
5	Faulty hood latch	$150-250
	Total	$3850

The major problem that requires a lot of money, patience, and maximum working is the problem of rust. It can even cost more than $2,000 if the damage is extensive.

Also read: 6 Nissans with a Panoramic Sunroof (+Photos)

What to Look for When Buying a Nissan With Over 100k Miles?

If you’ve decided to buy a Nissan that is driven over 100k miles, you must be vigilant about a few things and make sure you check these points;

1. Check the proper maintenance history and get a CARFAX report.
2. Ensure that the car had not been in any major accident.
3. Make sure that the CVT is either repaired or replaced if driven over 150,000 miles.
4. Get the engine, transmission, and suspension systems checked by an inspection team.
5. Must inspect the undercarriage area and interior flooring for rust and other damages.

Also read: Are Japanese Cars Good? Best in the World?

What are the Most Reliable Nissans With Over 100k Miles?

The Nissan models which you should shortlist if looking for a 100k mile driven car include, the Nissan Murano, Nissan Altima, and Nissan Note E. These are highly dependable vehicles with very few reported minor issues.

1. Nissan Murano

This family SUV is one of the most reliable vehicles available right now, and J.D power regarded it as one of the best SUVs due to its long-term reliability. Murano has a powerful V6 engine and a seamless CVT gearbox. If your priority is reliability, the 100,000-mile mark is nothing for Nissan Murano.

2. Nissan Altima

One of the oldest Nissan vehicles to grace the road and pioneer many technologies. Altima has been through a rough patch and some problems but lately, these cars have been improved a lot. Altima has a lot of high-tech features, a powerful engine, and reliable performance. It is also one of the top picks among enthusiasts for a dependable car and can easily last more than 300,000 miles before requiring a major rebuild.

3. Nissan Note E

Nissan Note is a hatchback that has a lot to offer. It is in production for more than a decade now and has built a repute as a solid and reliable vehicle. The Note E, a hybrid trim is among the most reliable Nissans you can go for and if everything is in genuine shape, 100,000 miles on a Note is nothing to worry about.

What are the Least Reliable Nissans With Over 100k Miles?

Although the majority of Nissan cars are reliable, you should avoid some of those as your first choice. The least reliable Nissan cars are Nissan Rogue Sport, Nissan Pathfinder, and Nissan Navara. The common problems are associated with engines and overall performance in these vehicles.

1. Nissan Rogue Sport

The mini version of the Nissan Rogue SUV, the Rogue Sport fails to live up to the name and standards of Nissan. The car has reportedly various problems such as suspension issues, engine and gear problems. It is not advisable to buy a Nissan Rogue Sport if driven beyond 100,000 miles.

2. Nissan Pathfinder

One of the oldest offerings by Nissan, the Pathfinder struggles to show durability over time. According to consumer reports, the pathfinder earned a below-average reliability rating, majorly because of the multiple issues with the vehicle. These include faulty climate control, issues with electronics, and deteriorating paint.

3. Nissan Navara

Nissan Navara has been in service for decades and is admired by fans. But the manufacturing faults and other ongoing issues with these vehicles have dropped the rating in reliability charts. Especially the problem of rust, which could crack the major body panels and structure, even ripping the car into two parts. Keeping these problems in mind, it would be advisable to stay away from a high mileage Nissan Navara.

Also read: 10 Best-Looking SUVs Under $15k (with Photos)

How to Make Your High Mileage Nissan Last Long?

To ensure that your high mileage Nissan serves you well and last long, over years and distance of over thousands of miles, you have to follow certain protocols;

1. While buying, get the car properly checked for any damages and ask for proper maintenance history.
2. Replace the sparkplugs and timing belt if well over 100,000 miles.
3. Get the suspension system checked and overhauled if required.
4. Switch the engine oil grade as per expert advice and replace all the filters in the engine.
5. Change the transmission oil and brake pads regularly.
6. Ensure tire rotation every 25,000 miles and get the engine flushed with professional fluids.
7. Flush the radiator and replace the coolant every 70,000 miles.
8. To protect the car from rusting, get the paintwork sealed with a ceramic coating and get the undercarriage coating done.