Nissan Bluebird — MPG & Fuel Costs 2025
The legendary, bulletproof saloon built in Sunderland. Renowned for its reliability and durability.
The Nissan Bluebird (T12/T72 generation) was the first car built at Nissan's landmark factory in Sunderland. It is legendary for its ability to cover massive mileages without breaking down.
Engine choices were simple: naturally aspirated petrols and a slow, bulletproof 2.0-litre non-turbo diesel. It was highly popular with taxi drivers for its reliability.
Real-world fuel economy averages around 38 MPG for the diesel variant, while the 1.6 petrol returns around 28-30 MPG under normal driving cycles.
TL;DR
28 MPG
Real-world petrol
38 MPG
Real-world diesel
60L
Tank capacity
£82.08
Full tank (petrol)
22.2p
Per mile (petrol)
Real-World Fuel Economy: The Nissan Bluebird achieves an estimated 28 MPG (petrol) and 38 MPG (diesel) in real-world UK driving conditions, accounting for a 12% WLTP real-world penalty.
Forecourt Fuel Cost: Refueling the 60-litre tank completely costs approximately £82.08 (petrol) or £85.26 (diesel) at average UK fuel price rates.
Fuel economy at a glance
28
Real-world MPG
Petrol
32.8
Official WLTP
Petrol
38
Real-world MPG
Diesel
44.8
Official WLTP
Diesel
Annual fuel costs by mileage
| Annual mileage | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 miles/yr | £1111 | £850 |
| 7,400 miles/yr(UK average) | £1644 | £1258 |
| 10,000 miles/yr | £2221 | £1700 |
| 15,000 miles/yr | £3332 | £2550 |
| 20,000 miles/yr | £4442 | £3400 |
| Full tank (60L) | £82.08 | £85.26 |
| Cost per mile | 22.2p | 17.0p |
Based on UK average fuel prices: petrol 136.8p/L · diesel 142.1p/L. Prices updated regularly.
How does the Bluebird compare?
Tips to get better MPG from your Bluebird
The naturally aspirated 2.0D diesel is slow but frugal; maintain a steady pace to maximize MPG.
Ensure the carburetor or early injection system is clean on petrol models.
Keep wheel alignment correct to minimize rolling resistance on this classic.
Is the cheaper petrol station worth it?
In a Nissan Bluebird achieving ~28 MPG real-world, if you fill 48 litres and the alternative station is 10p/litre cheaper:
£4.80
Gross saving on fuel
£0.67
Cost of 3-mile detour
£4.13
Net saving ✓
You could drive up to 22 miles round-trip before the saving disappears entirely.
Calculate for your exact situationPopular variants
Frequently asked questions
What is the real-world MPG of the Nissan Bluebird?
The Nissan Bluebird achieves approximately 28 MPG in real-world petrol driving — around 12% lower than the official WLTP figure of 32.8 MPG due to real driving conditions. Diesel variants achieve around 38 MPG real-world.
How much does it cost to fill a Nissan Bluebird?
The Nissan Bluebird has a fuel tank of 60 litres. At the UK average of 136.8p/litre for petrol, a full tank costs approximately £82.08. Diesel costs approximately £85.26 for a full tank.
What is the annual fuel cost for a Nissan Bluebird?
At the UK average annual mileage of 7,400 miles and current petrol price of 136.8p/litre, a Nissan Bluebird costs approximately £1644 per year in fuel. At 10,000 miles/year the cost rises to £2221. Actual costs vary with your driving style and mileage.
Is it worth driving to a cheaper petrol station in a Nissan Bluebird?
In a Nissan Bluebird doing ~28 MPG real-world, driving 3 miles round-trip to save 10p/litre on a 48-litre fill nets approximately £4.13 after the extra fuel cost. You could drive up to 22 miles before the saving is eaten up. Use the WorthThePump calculator for your exact situation.
How much does the Nissan Bluebird cost per mile in fuel?
The Nissan Bluebird costs approximately 22.2p per mile in petrol at current UK prices. Over a typical commute of 30 miles per day, that is approximately £6.66 per day in fuel.
What is the WLTP MPG figure for the Nissan Bluebird?
The official WLTP fuel economy figure for the Nissan Bluebird is 32.8 MPG. However, real-world MPG is typically 10–15% lower than WLTP due to cold starts, air conditioning, motorway speeds, and varying loads. WorthThePump uses a 12% real-world penalty to give a more accurate estimate.
Related guides
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