2003 Nissan Micra · 35,700 MOT tests
2003 Nissan Micra reliability
2003 Nissan Micras fail 48.5% of first MOT tests, 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 25 Micra years (35,700 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Nissan Micras: 36.3%)
- 48.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Nissan Micras: 36.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 22% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 75,160
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 35,700
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- 2004 cars: 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 6% of tests fail here (83% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: brakes, 40% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Nissan Micra
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics30.4%
- Suspension18.8%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors9.7%
- Body, chassis and structure7.5%
- Brakes7.1%
- Tyres6.8%
- Steering6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 8.03%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Registration plate lamp not working 5.9%
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
Position lamp not working 5.45%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Coil spring fractured or broken 4.36%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.33%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 4.28%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (14.78%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (12.38%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (10.47%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (10.25%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.92%) · Number plate lettering deteriorating (6.83%)
Other years
Every Nissan Micra year
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Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Nissan Micra reliable?
2003 Nissan Micras fail 48.5% of first MOT tests, 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 25 Micra years (35,700 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Nissan Micra MOT?
Most often headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (8.03% of tests), registration plate lamp not working (5.9% of tests), position lamp not working (5.45% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Nissan Micra have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Nissan Micra shows 75,160 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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