Models · Nissan
Nissan Navara D23 (NP300) buying guide
The D23 Navara, sold as the NP300 Navara from 2015 to 2021 with a 2.3 dCi diesel in single and twin-turbo forms. The engine has a good reputation, and the checks centre on a handful of known driveline items and how hard the truck has worked.
The versions
- 2.3 dCi single-turbo diesel: 160PS (158bhp), with a second turbo and 161bhp from the July 2019 facelift
- 2.3 dCi twin-turbo diesel: 190PS (187bhp)
- Six-speed manual, or seven-speed automatic on the twin-turbo Double Cab
- Double Cab with more car-like rear suspension, or the rarer King Cab; four-wheel drive with high and low range on all Double Cabs
- Euro 5 at launch, Euro 6 with AdBlue from September 2016
What to check on a D23 Navara
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Reverse gear on an automatic
What to look for: On an automatic, select reverse and drive back a few metres, then repeat once the truck is warm. Note any delay, slipping or refusal to engage. Ask whether the radiator has ever been replaced or the gearbox fluid found to be contaminated.
Why it matters: On a small number of trucks the radiator, which also cools the automatic gearbox fluid, has burst internally and let coolant into the transmission. Reverse gear problems are the typical symptom, and the cure means stripping the gearbox, so a clean, prompt reverse is what you want to see.
Rattle from the timing chain area
What to look for: Start the engine from cold with the bonnet open and listen at the front of the engine, then listen again on the test drive. A rattle from the tensioner area is the thing to note. Check the service history for regular oil changes.
Why it matters: The engine is chain-driven, with no cambelt. Occasional timing chain and crankshaft issues have been reported, and a rattle can mean the chain tensioner bolts are working loose. Regular maintenance helps prevent problems.
Clutch on a manual
What to look for: On a manual, check where the clutch bites and pull away up a slope. Try a firm acceleration in a high gear: the revs should not rise without the truck picking up speed. Ask whether the truck has towed.
Why it matters: Some owners feel the clutch is small for the vehicle, so it's worth checking on trucks that have towed heavy loads or carried full payloads.
Also in the full guide
- Recall work and the underside
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the D23 Navara
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
Other generations
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Nissan.