NISSAN MICRA Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 18,567 MOT tests from 1,096 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every NISSAN MICRA has the same fault.

NISSAN MICRA's have a very good reliability rating of 611/999. The score was calculated from the average of every NISSAN MICRA that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the NISSAN MICRA.

NISSAN MICRA (example)

Check a Nissan Micra before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

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Past & current MOT data
Write-off check
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Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	810/999Excellent	81,052 miles	5,530 vehicles
N/A	N/A	773/999Very good	93,726 miles	1,036 vehicles
N/A	N/A	773/999Very good	91,765 miles	1,678 vehicles
N/A	N/A	772/999Very good	89,565 miles	959 vehicles
N/A	N/A	771/999Very good	92,164 miles	1,577 vehicles
N/A	N/A	714/999Very good	85,005 miles	8,950 vehicles
N/A	N/A	631/999Good	92,719 miles	10,148 vehicles
N/A	N/A	553/999Above average	94,846 miles	8,579 vehicles
N/A	N/A	543/999Above average	86,793 miles	7,222 vehicles
N/A	N/A	538/999Above average	81,407 miles	6,660 vehicles
N/A	N/A	513/999Above average	80,844 miles	7,123 vehicles
N/A	N/A	511/999Above average	83,386 miles	2,458 vehicles
N/A	N/A	493/999Average	82,851 miles	3,492 vehicles
N/A	N/A	480/999Average	83,190 miles	17,289 vehicles
N/A	N/A	463/999Average	102,571 miles	542 vehicles
N/A	N/A	438/999Average	88,839 miles	14,977 vehicles

How reliable is the NISSAN MICRA?

Based on 18,567 MOT tests from 1,096 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

1,096

MOT tests

18,567

Pass rate

76.1%

Median mileage

70,376 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every NISSAN MICRA has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 606 out of 999.

Common NISSAN MICRA MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 2,890 advisory comments and 133 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 885 advisory comments and 66 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM PIN OR BUSH WORN BUT NOT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 623 advisory comments and 253 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING CORRODED (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 518 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: REGISTRATION PLATE LAMP INOPERATIVE IN THE CASE OF A SINGLE LAMP OR ALL LAMPS (4.7.1 (B) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 505 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 342 advisory comments and 69 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 377 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Registration plate condition

VehicleScore MOT data includes 268 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a number plate that was deteriorated, insecure, or did not meet the plate rules.

What to inspect

Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Example MOT wording: REAR REGISTRATION PLATE DETERIORATED BUT NOT LIKELY TO BE MISREAD (0.1 (B))

NISSAN MICRA MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2022	11	26	80.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2021	9	28	92.9%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2020	17	76	86.8%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2019	30	161	90.1%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2018	33	245	80%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2017	61	539	78.8%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2016	33	332	78.3%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2015	48	520	80.6%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2014	59	722	79.1%	Suspension arm issues, Tyre wear
2013	54	681	78.3%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2012	64	984	74.9%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2011	88	1451	74.9%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2010	67	1187	76.3%	Tyre wear, Lamp and bulb faults
2009	55	1026	78%	Tyre wear, Indicator faults
2008	57	1167	75.6%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2007	61	1356	74.6%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2006	65	1488	75%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2005	66	1619	72.1%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2004	33	810	76.3%	Tyre wear, Indicator faults
2003	39	985	76.2%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2002	33	819	79.5%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2001	16	417	73.4%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2000	16	404	72.5%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
1999	12	284	76.4%	Registration plate condition, Tyre wear
1998	5	113	79.6%	Brake disc wear, Tyre wear
1997	9	223	78.5%	Tyre wear, Corrosion

What to check when buying a used NISSAN MICRA

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Registration plate condition. Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Buying a NISSAN MICRA?

Common problems tell you what can affect NISSAN MICRAs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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