Retro icon that charms everyone who sees it
The 1991 Nissan Figaro is a retro-styled Pike Factory collectible that has built a devoted UK following since imports began arriving in the early 2000s. Values have strengthened considerably, with good examples now commanding fifteen thousand pounds or more — remarkable for a 1.0-litre Micra-based convertible. It occupies a unique position as an affordable classic that doubles as a usable daily driver, beloved for its charm rather than its performance.
We track 5 known issues across the Nissan Figaro range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Nissan Figaro? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
FK10 (1991–1991) — Engine options included the 1.0L NA. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Structural corrosion around suspension mounting points (£1,500–£3,000 to address).
The Figaro's unibody structure shows severe corrosion around suspension component mounting points, particularly where the rear suspension beam attaches to the body shell. This affects the load-bearing structure within 30cm of suspension mounting points. MOT data shows this model fails at 10.7x the fleet average for structural defects in prescribed areas around suspension mounts. The combination of 1990s Japanese steel quality, UK salt exposure, and the car's age makes this a critical safety concern that can render the vehicle structurally unsound.
Structural failure around suspension mounting points can cause loss of vehicle control, wheel detachment, or complete suspension collapse. The vehicle becomes dangerous to drive and may be beyond economical repair. Professional structural welding by a specialist familiar with monocoque construction typically costs £2,000-£4,000 if caught early, but advanced corrosion often renders the car unviable.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
The Figaro suffers from widespread body corrosion that can seriously reduce structural rigidity. The 1990s Japanese steel used in construction was not optimised for UK salt exposure, and the car's age compounds the problem. Areas particularly affected include sills, door frames, boot floor, and the junction between the soft-top mechanism and body shell.
Widespread corrosion reduces crash protection and can lead to MOT failure. Advanced cases may see doors not closing properly, water ingress, or visible daylight through body panels. Professional restoration requires extensive metalwork and typically costs more than the car's value.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
The Figaro's power steering system shows extremely high failure rates, with MOT data showing 95.1x the fleet average for power steering malfunctions. The system uses a belt-driven hydraulic pump feeding a steering rack with power assistance. Common failures include pump seal deterioration, rack seal failure, and high-pressure line leaks. Parts availability is severely limited for this 30+ year old system.
Complete power steering failure makes the car extremely difficult to steer at low speeds and during parking. While not immediately dangerous at road speeds, pump failure often leads to belt failure which can affect other engine systems. Replacement parts are extremely scarce and expensive.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
The Figaro shows extremely high failure rates for steering rack gaiters and ball joint dust covers, with MOT data showing up to 48.6x the fleet average. The rubber gaiters protect the steering rack from dirt and moisture ingress, while ball joint covers protect suspension joints. After 30+ years, the rubber deteriorates and splits, allowing contamination that accelerates wear of expensive steering and suspension components.
Failed gaiters allow dirt and water to contaminate steering rack seals and ball joints, leading to premature wear and eventual failure of these expensive components. While not immediately dangerous, contamination will accelerate wear and lead to much higher repair costs later.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
The Figaro shows elevated spring failure rates at 7.0x the fleet average, along with widespread suspension component dust cover deterioration at 12.3x fleet average. The combination of 30+ year old springs, exposure to UK road salt, and limited parts availability makes suspension maintenance challenging. Spring failure often coincides with shock absorber wear and CV joint boot deterioration.
Broken springs can damage tyres, affect handling, and cause MOT failure. While rarely dangerous in isolation, spring failure often indicates widespread suspension wear requiring comprehensive attention. Parts scarcity makes repairs expensive and time-consuming.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Nissan Figaro common problems page.
Based on 14k real DVSA MOT tests, the Nissan Figaro fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is power steering fault at 98x the fleet average, followed by front or rear fog lamp emitted colour, position... (56x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Nissan Figaro MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 6k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include timing belt (£400–£600).
See the full Nissan Figaro service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Nissan Figaro has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. All Figaros were built in 1991 as a single-year limited production run of 20,000 units, so there are no 'best years' to choose between. Instead, focus on condition: look for rust-free shells, working air conditioning, recent cambelt service, and a documented UK history since import. Earlier UK registration dates suggest longer domestic care.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Nissan Figaro, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Nissan Figaro issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.