Item: Used Nissan Primera Estate 1996 - 2002
Author: Steve Huntingford

What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

Our recommendations

Alternatives

Estate

Nissan turned up early to the SUV party, with its Qashqai paving the way for the countless models we see today. The Qashqai continues to sell in big numbers in the UK, too, and was also our overall Car of the Year in 2014.

Don’t think Nissan is just about SUVs, though. As well as the Qashqai, the smaller Juke and the larger X-Trail, the Japanese brand has the Micra hatchback, GT-R sports car and Navara pick-up truck.

Nissan was also one of the first big car makers to launch a fully electric car, with its latest Leaf being one of the best on the market.

Despite being based in Japan, Nissan has long committed to building cars in the UK, making several of its best-selling models at a huge factory in Sunderland.

NISSAN

PRIMERA

The Nissan Primera estate is a sensible budget buy for any family

Used Nissan Primera Estate 1996 - 2002

So long as you don't end up with a duff car - and you're very unlikely to do that - a Primera estate should be cheap to buy and run. Even if you are unfortunate enough to get one of the rare troublesome examples, it shouldn't be too expensive to fix. According to Warranty Direct, Nissans are among the cheapest cars to repair.

Routine maintenance won't dent your finances, either. You can expect to fork out about the same on a service as you would for a Ford Mondeo. A good independent garage should be able to save you about 25% on a franchise's labour rate.

Fuel costs are on a par with most family estates: officially mid-30s to the gallon for the 2.0 petrol; high-30s for the 1.8 and 1.6; and low-40s for the diesel.

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

The Nissan Primera estate is a sensible budget buy for any family

The 2.0 petrol is the one to go for. It has all the muscle you need for load-lugging, doesn't drink too much fuel and is relatively easy to track down.

We wouldn't be averse to a 1.8 petrol, but you should steer clear of the 1.6 petrol - it's too weedy and no more fuel-efficient than the 1.8. The 2.0 diesel is hardy and easy on the juice, but is unrefined, so unless you're a high-mileage driver obsessed with fuel economy, give it a miss.

The 2.0 petrol was available with a CVT (continuously variable transmission) automatic gearbox, but steer clear of that, too. It's unrewarding and saps fuel.

And, while we're on about things to avoid, don't bother with the entry-level E models, as they're too spartan. The S trim gives most of what you need, but SE has worthwhile extras and Sport brings smart alloy wheels and aluminium trim, so either of them are the best bet.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.

Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.

There are some terrific estates at most price ranges. The humble Skoda Fabia Estate offers cavernous space for not much cash at all, for example.

Further up the price range, another of our perennial favourites is the Skoda Superb Estate;&nbsp;it’s great to drive and as practical as most people should ever need. Meanwhile, for serious mile-munching ability and a premium, well-finished interior, it’s hard to look beyond the BMW 5 Series Touring.

Generally, the Primera is a robust, reliable car capable of high mileages if it's serviced on time, so look for a caring owner (the Primera tends to attract them) brandishing a wad of old service receipts.

That said, give the alloy wheels a close examination - they can be prone to corrosion. Also, ensure the climate control blows hot and cold with reasonable force, as it can be expensive to put right. And, while you're at it, check that all the electrical kit works.

The other concerns are the suspension and axles. Listen for clonks and watch out for cars that pull to one side, handle badly or crash through bumps. Uneven tyre wear can also point to suspension trouble.

There were problems with engines stalling on 1.6 and 1.8 cars sold in 2001. All should have been dealt with following a recall, but it's worth checking.

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

The Nissan Primera estate is the pair of 'sensible' school shoes your mum forced you to wear when you were a kid. It's never going to turn heads but it's a practical, cheap family estate that you can depend on to give years of reliable service. It's a pretty decent drive, too.

In fact, it's more sporty than many sports saloons on a twisty road, although the pay-off is a firm ride, especially on motorways, where it can get tiresome. Go for the 1.8 or 2.0 petrol engine and you'll get a sweet-revving motor with respectable performance and quiet cruising ability.

You get plenty of space in the front and rear seats, a soundly built cabin, a good driving position and an uncluttered, well-shaped load bay. Avoid the entry-level trim and it's nicely stacked with kit, too.

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

Used Nissan Primera Estate 1996 - 2002 review

Best electric cars - our 2022 award winners revealed

Nissan Qashqai

Audi A3

BMW 1 series

Mini Hatchback

Audi Q2

Hyundai Tucson

Toyota Yaris Cross 

New car deals >>

site ribbon config

Looking for alternatives to the used Nissan Primera 1996 - 2002? The expert What Car? review team guide you through some great options.

New car deals >>

Used Nissan Primera Estate 1996 - 2002 review

Nissan Primera 2.0 SVE 4dr

Nissan Primera 1.6 Precision 5dr

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Nissan Primera estate?

What Car? has a buying service

Quick search

Tools & services

Legal bits

Information