Nissan Navara D23

The Navara D23, known in many markets as the NP300 (2015–2019), is the completely redesigned successor to the D40. Nissan got several things right: the double cab swapped rear leaf springs for a multi-link coil-sprung axle, lifting ride comfort noticeably without meaningfully cutting payload. The ladder frame, selectable low-range four-wheel drive and the brief of a genuine workhorse with over three-and-a-half tonnes of towing capacity all remain. Power comes from the 2.3-litre YS23DDT diesel, offered as single- or bi-turbo with up to 190 hp. In everyday use the D23 feels more grown-up and quieter than its rustic predecessor.

The YS23 is a modern common-rail diesel with the typical traits of the Euro 6 generation. The most prominent: DPF and oil dilution. Drive the truck mostly on short trips and you risk the particulate filter never regenerating cleanly — the diesel injected during regeneration dilutes the engine oil, the level rises rather than falls, and in extreme cases poor lubrication can wreck the engine. This is less a design fault than a usage issue: the D23 wants to see regular longer, hot runs. The EGR and intake also coke up faster in pure city use, and here too the turbocharger can show weakness over time.

And then there is the line's legacy: the ladder frame. Frame rust is a real concern on the D23 too. Vehicles from salted regions in particular should be inspected thoroughly from below — chassis rot, as on its predecessor, is a potential economic write-off.

Buying advice: Check the oil level and smell — if the oil smells of diesel or sits above the maximum mark, that points to DPF trouble and oil dilution. Question the usage profile: a short-hop city truck is the worst choice. Read the fault memory and check DPF status. Get it on the lift and inspect frame, crossmembers and underbody for rust. A service book with honoured oil-change intervals is mandatory, as is a check for an even running engine and the smoke behaviour under load.

Verdict: The D23 is the more modern, more comfortable Navara and a good lorry substitute for heavy work on longer routes. But the YS23 diesel dislikes short trips, and the frame issue follows this generation too. A long-distance, dry example with a clean DPF and a healthy frame is recommendable — an urbanised stop-and-go truck with diluted oil is a risk.