A PROBLEM with a number of Nissan Navara pick-up trucks has resulted in the manufacturer "standing by its product" by buying out defective models, even at up to 12 years old.

A number of D40-types of Navara have shown a tendency to corrode in much the same place in the middle of the vehicle, sometimes resulting in a snapped body near to where the cab abuts with the load area.

One report puts the number of vehicles affected in the UK at 35,000 and there could be as many as 193,500 vehicles worldwide. However, Nissan refused to confirm numbers and said only a 'small number' of models had been affected, those sold in the years 2005 to 2008.

A spokesman said: "This issue relates to corrosion affecting the vehicle chassis. As long as these vehicles are properly maintained, serviced and MOT’d they are safe to drive, therefore we are dealing with each customer on a case-by-case basis. As is standard industry practice, we only recall a vehicle when there’s a safety issue.

"We’ve put measures in place to quickly resolve the concerns of any customers who have contacted us about this. Nissan is backing customers even though the affected vehicles are up to 12 years old."

One of those affected, Chris Carruth, from Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire, has said that once his problem Navara had been brought to the attention of Nissan it had been 'dealt with promptly and fairly' at the end of 2016.

"I'd heard about this problem with Navaras through the grapevine and had been having bother getting it through its last couple of MOTs without some serious welding to the chassis," he told The SF. "So I contacted Nissan and they sent someone from the RAC to independently inspect my 56-plate Navara which I'd had for 2½ years.

"He condemned the chassis outright and told me that my insurance would be null and void if I drove it on the roads, even though it had a few months left on the MOT."

Within a day Nissan had confirmed that they would buy the vehicle back and offered to pay £30 per day towards a vehicle hire until the matter was resolved. This happened a couple of weeks later when he accepted a bid of £5140 plus £480 towards his car hire, with £80 retention fee for his numberplate.

Nissan added: "Many vehicles which have been checked have had no issue, however should any concern be found we have a number of options in place to support the customer. This could range from directing the customer to appropriate repair, supporting costs, repairing the vehicle or even exchanging it, however that will depend on the circumstances of the specific situation."

As the Navara is closely related to the Nissan Pathfinder SUV (R51-body type) of the same age, owners of those should also be concerned.

New Navaras launched last year are thought to be unaffected by the problem – which will be a relief to Mercedes-Benz, which is about to launch its X-Class pickup based on the latest Navara platform.

Concerned customers should contact the Nissan Care team on 0330 123 1231.