Small car · 1996–2021 cars

Nissan Micra reliability

The Nissan Micra fails 36.3% of first MOT tests, 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 807,594 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Below averageReliability score 32/100#35 of 63 small cars

Checking a Nissan Micra before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 36.3%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 20% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 807,594; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 5,400; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Nissan Micra fails its first MOT more often than most cars. Its first-time fail rate is 36.3%, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 20% more MOT fails, and it ranks 35 of 63 small car models. That doesn't rule it out. A Micra can still be a good buy if you check the right things.

Year matters. 2021 cars were about average, but 2017 cars had 63% more MOT fails than comparable cars. Seat belts and airbags are the weakest area, with 50% more fails than comparable cars. Before you buy, check for a position lamp not working, a wiper blade not clearing the windscreen, a registration plate lamp not working, and a fractured or broken coil spring. These are the most common failures, at 4.22%, 3.78%, 3.67% and 2.95% of tests.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Nissan Micra ages

Each point is the share of Nissan Micras of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Nissan MicraAll cars

Nissan Micra first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Nissan Micra	All cars
3	10.6%	12.3%
4	16.9%	14.1%
5	20.9%	16.4%
6	23.4%	19.1%
7	23.8%	22.1%
8	26.1%	25.5%
9	29.8%	28.8%
10	32.7%	31.8%
11	35.1%	34.6%
12	37.6%	37.3%
13	38.6%	39.5%
14	39.9%	41.1%
15	41.9%	42.3%
16	44.4%	42.9%
17	46.8%	43.4%
18	47.8%	43.5%
19	48.1%	43.4%
20	47.9%	42.8%
21	47.5%	41.4%
22	48.1%	40.6%
23	47.1%	38.9%
24	47.4%	37.1%
25	45%	35.8%

By year

The best and worst Nissan Micra years

2021 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Nissan Micra MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 Micra	2,014	9.8%	1% fewer fails	17,087
2020 Micra	8,301	11.1%	6% more fails	19,535
2019 Micra	22,282	13.9%	19% more fails	22,582
2018 Micra	33,604	18.4%	37% more fails	28,418
2017 Micra	42,517	24.8%	63% more fails	32,418
2016 Micra	35,293	21.6%	36% more fails	28,701
2015 Micra	42,686	23.7%	26% more fails	35,831
2014 Micra	46,571	27.5%	28% more fails	40,053
2013 Micra	38,218	31.1%	26% more fails	46,138
2012 Micra	38,056	34.9%	26% more fails	52,416
2011 Micra	41,961	36.2%	19% more fails	57,053
2010 Micra	51,482	38.4%	14% more fails	65,647
2009 Micra	51,299	39.6%	12% more fails	68,282
2008 Micra	48,119	39.5%	5% more fails	73,299
2007 Micra	44,734	43.2%	12% more fails	74,762
2006 Micra	60,148	44.7%	11% more fails	80,878
2005 Micra	53,936	48.4%	19% more fails	80,900
2004 Micra	38,907	48.6%	20% more fails	78,788
2003 Micra	35,700	48.5%	22% more fails	75,160
2002 Micra	25,549	46%	23% more fails	63,306
2001 Micra	15,551	47.3%	30% more fails	63,242
2000 Micra	11,479	48.6%	37% more fails	64,881
1999 Micra	11,136	47%	36% more fails	66,563
1998 Micra	6,129	46.2%	39% more fails	66,388
1997 Micra	1,534	44.2%	34% more fails	68,964
1996	388	44.6%	38% more fails	66,404

Common problems

What fails most on a Nissan Micra

Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 50% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics18%44% above avg
Suspension13.8%39% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.2%36% above avg
Brakes6.7%11% below avg
Tyres5.8%5% above avg
Body, chassis and structure4.3%3% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.1%16% below avg
Seat belts and airbags1.9%50% above avg
Steering1.7%16% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Position lamp not working 4.22% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.78% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
3
Registration plate lamp not working 3.67% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
4
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.95% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
5
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.95% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
6
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.94% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
7
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.24% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
8
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.22% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Nissan Micra's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit12.62%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear12.49%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking11.91%
Coil spring showing some corrosion7.12%
Brake disc pitted or scored6.2%
Engine oil leak, not excessive5.48%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Nissan Micra

1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
3
Registration plate lamp not working
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
4
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Nissan Micra covers about 5,400 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Petrol97.3%
Diesel2.7%
LPG0%
Electric0%
Other0%

Most common colours

Blue, Silver, Red, Black, Grey

Average engine size: 1.2 litres.

Compare

How the Nissan Micra compares with its rivals

Nissan Micra against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Honda Jazz	25.7%	11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi A1	21.3%	8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Skoda Fabia	29.5%	4% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Nissan Micra	36.3%	20% more MOT fails than the average car its age
SEAT Ibiza	33.6%	21% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Citroën C3	35.6%	28% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Clio	43.1%	44% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Nissan models.

Questions

Nissan Micra questions, answered

Is the Nissan Micra reliable?

On MOT results, the Nissan Micra is below average: it fails 36.3% of first MOT tests, 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 35 of 63 small car models in our index.

What fails most on a Nissan Micra MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Nissan Micra are position lamp not working (4.22% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.78% of tests), registration plate lamp not working (3.67% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 18% of its tests.

Which Nissan Micra year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (about average for its age) and 2017 cars do worst (63% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Nissan Micra do a year?

A typical Nissan Micra covers about 5,400 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Nissan Micra before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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