Used car guide

1992 Nissan Micra: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1992 Nissan Micras, from 116 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 116 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

116MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 1992 cars: 69%)
1,700typical miles a year
41%had suspension flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 1992 Nissan Micra MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    41% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    34% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    22% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    18% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    15% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    13% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Nissan Micra?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20225,911Tyres 23%
20216,614Tyres 31%
20206,184Tyres 35%
20198,543Tyres 31%
20189,981Suspension 38%
201712,651Suspension 40%
201610,681Suspension 37%
201512,942Suspension 39%
201414,032Suspension 46%
201311,401Suspension 49%
201211,313Suspension 48%
201112,317Suspension 48%
201014,921Suspension 39%
200914,692Suspension 41%
200813,249Suspension 43%
200711,930Suspension 46%
200615,302Lights and electrics 47%
200512,779Lights and electrics 53%
20048,521Lights and electrics 52%
20037,615Lights and electrics 49%
20025,966Brakes 40%
20013,341Suspension 41%
20002,183Suspension 42%
19991,697Suspension 42%
19981,079Suspension 44%
1997537Suspension 46%
1996411Suspension 41%
1995254Brakes 38%
1994204Brakes 40%
1993134Brakes 37%
1991101Brakes 40%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1992 Nissan Micras registered in 1992. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score