Thinking about buying a used Nissan Cedric (1989–2005) in New Zealand? We've documented 9 known faults for this model spanning engine, transmission, suspension, and fluid leaks. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Two are set out in full below — the rest, with the symptoms, repair costs and checks for each, are free with an account.
9
Documented faults
Critical
Most serious
$980–$2,800
Typical repair
4
Systems covered
Known Nissan Cedric faults
Every fault below is documented specifically for this model — researched and verified before it’s published.
01Pre-catalytic converter breaks up and is drawn back into the engine
CriticalOccasionalEngine $1,200–$11,000 to fix
The VQ V6 fits close-coupled pre-catalytic converters in the exhaust manifolds. On neglected or oil-burning examples the ceramic substrate crumbles, and because these engines use variable valve timing to pull exhaust gas back into the cylinders, the abrasive fragments are reverse-aspirated into the combustion chambers where they score the bores like fine sand. The result is rising oil consumption, low compression and, if ignored, a wrecked short block. It is the single failure mode that ends a Cedric quickly, so any smoke or ceramic debris in the intake is a walk-away sign.
Symptoms to notice
Blue smoke from the exhaust, especially on start-up and under load
Rising oil consumption between services
Rough running or misfire from a scored cylinder
Rattle from the exhaust manifold cats when tapped
What to check
Do a compression and leakdown test across all six cylinders and check for blue smoke on a cold start and on a hard throttle snap. Inspect the pre-cats for a broken or rattling substrate, and look for ceramic grit in the intake tract or on a borescope of the bores. Confirm oil-consumption history from the seller.
Where to look: Exhaust manifolds each side of the V6, feeding back into the cylinders
Ask the seller
“Has it ever used or burned oil between services?”
“Have the pre-cats or exhaust manifolds ever been replaced or gutted?”
“Can I see a recent compression test result?”
02VQ V6 oil leaks from cam/crank seals, valve covers and rear main
MinorCommonFluid Leaks $700–$2,800 to fix
The VQ V6 seals the front timing cover with silicone rather than a gasket and uses thin cam-cover and spark-plug tube seals, all of which harden with age and heat. On these 1995-2004 imports it is common to find weeping front crank and camshaft seals, oil dampness at the cam covers, and eventually rear main seal seepage. Oil pooling in the spark-plug wells can also foul plugs and trigger misfires. Individually the leaks are minor, but the front cover and rear main jobs are labour heavy because they sit behind the timing chain or gearbox.
Symptoms to notice
Oil film or drips at the front of the engine and timing cover
Oily residue around the cam covers and spark-plug wells
Burning-oil smell after a run
Oil spots on the ground under the bellhousing from the rear main
What to check
With the engine warm, inspect the front timing cover, both cam covers, the crank pulley seal and the bellhousing area for wet oil versus old staining. Pull a coil pack and check for oil in the spark-plug tubes. Estimate leak rate from oil-level history and any recent top-ups.
Where to look: Front timing cover, cam covers and rear of the block at the bellhousing
Ask the seller
“Which seals or gaskets have already been replaced?”
“How much oil does it lose between services?”
“Are the spark-plug wells dry?”
EngineCritical
TransmissionMajor
SuspensionMajor
SuspensionMajor
TransmissionMajor
EngineMajor
Fluid LeaksMajor
7 more documented faults on the Nissan Cedric
Symptoms, what to check, where to look and what to ask the seller — for every fault above. Free with an account, no card needed. One account covers one vehicle, so make it the car you’re actually looking at.
This page covers the model. Enter the plate of the actual car you’re looking at and see its year, engine, safety rating and register flags — free, no account needed.
Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 9 documented faults for the Nissan Cedric, the recurring problem areas are engine, transmission, and suspension. A Nissan Cedric 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 Nissan Cedric?
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We've catalogued 9 known faults for the Nissan Cedric, covering engine, transmission, and suspension. Two are written out in full on this page. The rest — with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each — are free once you create an account.
How much do repairs cost on a Nissan Cedric?
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Most single repairs on the Nissan Cedric fall between $980–$2,800 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 9 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 Nissan Cedric?
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Yes. A Nissan Cedric 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 $17.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.