TransmissionCritical
CVT overheating and failure — the defining Altima issue.
Head gasket / cooling system repair£900–£2,600
Inspect · Test-drive hard, watch for whining, shuddering, RPM flare, or a burnt smell; check for prior CVT replacement.
2013–2018 Nissan Altima · common fault repair costs
What the known faults on this Nissan Altima typically cost to put right at a UK independent garage · use the figures to price risk before you bid, and to justify a reduction when something shows up on inspection.
Cost at a glance
- Most expensive fault
- £900–£2,600
- Top three risks, from
- £2,050
- Worst case, everything
- £9,350
The single priciest documented job on the 2013–2018 Nissan Altima is head gasket / cooling system repair at £900–£2,600. Few cars need every repair listed here · treat £2,670–£9,350 as the full exposure if one arrived with all of them.
Cost per fault
EngineMedium
2.5L timing chain rattle.
Timing chain, tensioner & guides£900–£2,400
Inspect · Listen for a rattle on cold start.
Rear SuspensionHigh
Rear lower control arms corrode severely, potentially snapping and causing sudden loss of wheel alignment.
Suspension refresh (per axle)£250–£1,100
Inspect · Kneel behind the rear wheels with a torch and inspect the tubular lower control arms for heavy flaking rust or structural cracking.
HVACLow
Loud clicking or tapping noise from behind the glovebox when adjusting the cabin temperature.
Air-con regas or compressor£90–£900
Inspect · Turn the ignition on, set the blower to low, and cycle the climate control temperature from minimum to maximum. Listen for rapid plastic clicking.
Engine / GasketsMedium
Oil leaking from the rocker cover gasket into the spark plug tubes, causing misfires.
Oil leak trace & seal / gasket£180–£700
Inspect · Remove one of the easily accessible front ignition coils with a 10mm spanner and check the rubber boot for fresh engine oil.
BodyMedium
Hood latch / secondary latch recall.
Door / window mechanism£130–£600
Inspect · Confirm the recall was completed and the hood latches securely.
Electrical / LightingHigh
Extremely dim dipped-beam headlights due to burnt internal projector bowls.
Door / window mechanism£130–£600
Inspect · Shine the dipped beams against a wall or workshop door. Look for a weak, yellow, or uneven beam pattern indicating burnt reflectors.
InteriorLow
Dashboard and trim wear.
Interior trim repair£90–£450
Inspect · Inspect the dash and seat bolsters.
Ranges are indicative parts-and-labour costs at a UK independent garage, inclusive of VAT. Franchised dealers typically sit 40–80% higher, and prestige or electrified variants sit at the top of each band. Always get a written quote before committing.
Inspecting a Nissan Altima this week?
Build a tickable checklist for the exact car in front of you, record faults with photos, and hand the buyer a report.