# Nissan GT-R — Used Car Buying Guide

AutoScout's analysis of the Nissan GT-R on the UK used-car market. Backed by 33 million DVSA MOT tests, current AutoTrader pricing, and depreciation curves derived from CAP/Glass's Guide data.

Live interactive report: https://autoscout.fyi/cars/nissan-gt-r

## Verdict

- **Best value year**: 2018
- **Ideal trim**: Black Edition
- **Target mileage**: 25,000–35,000 miles
- **Max previous owners**: 3
- **Target price**: £67,500

## Why this model

The Nissan GT-R, affectionately known as 'Godzilla', is an absolute legend and a fantastic choice if you're looking for supercar performance without the supercar price tag. It's incredibly fast, handles like it's on rails thanks to its advanced AWD system, and surprisingly, it's quite practical for a performance car with a usable boot and rear seats (for small kids or extra luggage). It's a technological marvel that still holds its own against much newer and more expensive rivals. Plus, it has a strong following and a great tuning scene if you ever want to unleash even more power!

## What you should pay

The GT-R has held its value remarkably well for a performance car, especially the R35 generation. While new cars take a huge hit, a 2018 model has already absorbed a lot of that initial depreciation, making it a smart buy. Prices have stabilised somewhat, but expect a gradual decline rather than a steep drop. Our target price of around £67,500 for a good 2018 Black Edition with sensible mileage represents a fair market value in early 2026, balancing condition, history, and desirability.

## Which trim to buy

The Black Edition trim is often considered the sweet spot for the GT-R. It builds on the already excellent 'Pure' model by adding sportier Recaro seats, unique black alloy wheels, and a distinctive red and black interior. It gives you a more aggressive look and feel without jumping to the much higher price point of the Nismo. It's well-equipped, highly desirable, and tends to hold its value slightly better than the base 'Pure' model, making it a great balance of performance, aesthetics, and value for money.

## What to check before you buy

- Transmission (GR6 gearbox) can be prone to issues if not maintained correctly or if heavily modified/tracked without proper cooling. Listen for unusual noises or harsh shifts.
- Brake wear is significant and expensive due to the car's weight and performance. Check discs and pads carefully.
- Suspension components (bushes, dampers) can wear, especially on cars driven hard. Listen for knocks or creaks.
- Tyre wear is high, and specific run-flat tyres are expensive. Check tread depth and condition.
- Bell housing issues on very early R35s were largely resolved by 2012, but still worth checking service history for any related work.

## Running costs

Running a GT-R isn't cheap, but you probably already guessed that! Fuel will be your biggest expense; expect around 20-25 pence per mile for super unleaded, depending on how heavy your right foot is. Road tax (VED) for a car registered after April 2017 will be £190 per year, plus an additional £390 'premium car tax' for the first five years (so £580 annually for the first five years from new). Insurance will be substantial, likely in the range of £1,500-£3,000+ per year, depending on your age, location, and no-claims bonus. Servicing needs to be done by specialists, and major services, tyres, and brakes are all very expensive. Budget at least £1,000-£2,000 per year for maintenance.

## Key stats

- **Fuel Type**: Petrol
- **Horsepower**: 562 hp
- **Mpg**: 23.9 mpg (combined)
- **Reliability Score**: Good
- **Safety Rating**: Not officially rated by Euro NCAP

## Trim comparison

| Trim | Price new | Price used | Key features |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pure | £85,000 | £60,000 | 20-inch alloy wheels; Brembo brakes; NissanConnect satellite navigation |
| Black Edition | £90,000 | £67,000 | Recaro sports seats (red/black); Black 20-inch RAYS alloy wheels; Red and black interior trim |
| Prestige | £92,000 | £68,500 | Premium leather interior options; Heated front seats; More luxurious cabin finishes |

## Depreciation forecast

| Year | Estimated value | Retention |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2026 | £67,500 | 100% |
| 2027 | £62,000 | 91.85% |
| 2028 | £57,000 | 84.44% |
| 2029 | £53,000 | 78.52% |
| 2030 | £49,500 | 73.33% |

The 2018 model year GT-R represents a great sweet spot because it benefits from the significant 2017 facelift, which brought updated styling, a more refined interior, and a power bump. By 2026, a 2018 model will have already taken its biggest depreciation hit from new, meaning you're buying into a more stable value curve. It's old enough to be more affordable but new enough to feel modern and benefit from the later R35 improvements, making it a solid investment for enjoyment without massive financial loss.

Total value lost since new: 26.67%.

## Alternatives to consider

- Porsche 911 (991.2 generation)
- Audi R8 V10
- [Mercedes-AMG GT](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/mercedes-amg-gt.md)

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Source: AutoScout (https://autoscout.fyi). Part of a review of the UK used-car market across 500+ models.