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Datsun Major issues documented

Datsun 1200: common faults & what to check

Thinking about buying a used Datsun 1200 in New Zealand? We've documented 5 known faults for this model spanning engine. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated major. Every one is listed below with its symptoms and repair cost, and each has its own page with where to look and what to ask the seller. Free, no account needed.

Check this exact Datsun 1200

  • Odometer history
  • Money owing
  • Reported stolen
  • Ownership history
  • Official NZ vehicle register data
  • NZ owned and operated

Type the plate for the free basics. The full record is a paid check from $13.49, one car at a time, no subscription.

No NZ plate yet, or buying in Australia? Pick the generation and engine and start a free check below. New to KickTyres? How the check works →

5

Documented faults

Major

Most serious

$315–$630

Typical repair

1

Systems covered

Which Datsun 1200 are you looking at?

2 generation variants documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Which engine is in it? These cover every year of this model.

1.2L petrol· 1.2 litre petrol

Start your free check on this Datsun 1200

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

Datsun 1200

Free. The paid plate check is separate, and stays optional.

Likely — same engine family

Datsun 1200

Narrowed by capacity and fuel. No engine code is recorded for this option, so a fault specific to one engine of that size cannot be confirmed from it.

Matched on capacity and fuel, not on an engine code.

matched on 1.2L engine

What to look out for

The checks worth doing on a Datsun 1200 before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

  • Costly issue

    Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.

    See why

    B110 / B210 Floor Pan and Sill Rust

    Floor pan perforation and structural sill corrosion are the most common reasons B110 and B210 vehicles fail WOF in NZ. Mud traps behind inner sill liners and around the rear suspension spring hanger points allow rust to penetrate the load-bearing structure. Lightweight panel steel used in 1970s Datsun construction corrodes through quickly once surface protection fails. Any purchase of these vehicles requires a full undercar inspection with a screwdriver probe for structural integrity.

    What you would notice

    • Evidence of engine wear or deterioration
    • Warning light or abnormal behaviour noted during operation

    Typically $1,260–$2,520 to put right.

See all 5 documented issuesEverything researched for the Datsun 1200.
Engine, transmission & cooling5

01B110 / B210 Floor Pan and Sill Rust

Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.Engine
CommonEngine $1,260–$2,520 to fix

Floor pan perforation and structural sill corrosion are the most common reasons B110 and B210 vehicles fail WOF in NZ. Mud traps behind inner sill liners and around the rear suspension spring hanger points allow rust to penetrate the load-bearing structure. Lightweight panel steel used in 1970s Datsun construction corrodes through quickly once surface protection fails. Any purchase of these vehicles requires a full undercar inspection with a screwdriver probe for structural integrity.

Symptoms to notice

  • Evidence of engine wear or deterioration
  • Warning light or abnormal behaviour noted during operation

What to check

  1. Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.
  2. Inspect coolant condition and level.

Parts involved: Body corrosion.

02A-Series Radiator Blockage and Hose Failure

Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.petrolEngine
CommonEngine $385–$770 to fix

Original copper/brass radiators on B110 and B210 vehicles suffer internal scale buildup and core tube pinching over decades, reducing cooling capacity to the point where the engine overheats in summer traffic or on hills. Silicone hoses perish and collapse internally, restricting flow without visible external cracking. Given the age of these vehicles, a complete cooling system refresh (radiator rod-out or replacement, all hoses, thermostat, water pump) should be assumed necessary at purchase.

Symptoms to notice

  • Engine overheating under load
  • Fault codes or irregular readings when scanned

What to check

  1. Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.
  2. Inspect coolant condition and level.

Parts involved: Radiator.

03A12 / A14 Timing Chain Stretch

Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.petrolEngine
CommonEngine $315–$630 to fix

The simplex (single-row) timing chain on A12 and A14 engines stretches with age and kilometre accumulation. On 40-50 year old engines this is near-universal unless the chain has already been replaced. A worn chain produces a rattle from the front of the engine and can allow ignition timing to drift retarded, hurting fuel economy and power. Given the age of these vehicles, chain, tensioner, and sprockets should be treated as a service item at purchase.

The front of a dual overhead camshaft engine with the timing cover removed, exposing the timing chain and sprockets.Example of the part — not this vehicle

The front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.

Logansenf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Metallic rattle or knock from engine
  • Timing chain or belt related noise at startup

What to check

  1. Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.
  2. Inspect coolant condition and level.

Parts involved: Timing chain.

04A12 / A14 Carburetor Wear and Jet Deterioration

Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.petrolEngine
CommonEngine $210–$420 to fix

The Hitachi single-barrel carburetors fitted to A-series engines suffer accelerator pump diaphragm hardening, main jet wear, float needle seat wear, and idle mixture screw deterioration over decades of use. Symptoms include hard cold starts, flat spots on acceleration, hunting idle, and poor fuel economy. Ethanol-blend fuels (E10) available in NZ/AU attack original rubber seals. Carburettor rebuilds with ethanol-compatible kits are the correct repair; pattern replacements are available for most variants.

Symptoms to notice

  • Difficult cold start or unstable idle
  • Fault codes or irregular readings when scanned

What to check

  1. Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.
  2. Inspect coolant condition and level.

05A-Series Rocker Cover and Rear Main Seal Oil Leak

Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.petrolEngine
CommonEngine $112–$224 to fix

Hardened cork and rubber gaskets on the rocker cover allow oil to seep onto the exhaust manifold, producing a burning smell at operating temperature. The rear crankshaft oil seal also weeps on many examples, dripping oil onto the clutch bellhousing. Neither leak is immediately mechanical-failure critical but both contaminate surrounding components and create fire risk on the exhaust. Cork gaskets should be replaced with modern nitrile equivalents.

Symptoms to notice

  • Oil leaks visible beneath engine
  • Fault codes or irregular readings when scanned

What to check

  1. Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.
  2. Inspect coolant condition and level.

Parts involved: Rocker / valve cover.

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Datsun 1200’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

Datsun 1200 buyer questions

Is the Datsun 1200 reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 5 documented faults for the Datsun 1200, the recurring problem areas are engine. A Datsun 1200 with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.

What are the most common problems with a used Datsun 1200?

We've catalogued 5 known faults for the Datsun 1200, covering engine. All 5 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Datsun 1200?

Most single repairs on the Datsun 1200 fall between $315–$630 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 5 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.

Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Datsun 1200?

Yes. A Datsun 1200 inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.