Used car guide

1997 Nissan Micra: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1997 Nissan Micras, from 537 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

537MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 1997 cars: 67%)
2,500typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1997 Nissan Micras than on all cars registered in 1997.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.6× usual
    Nissan Micra
    20.9% All 1997 cars
    8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 13.2%, against 4.3% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.8× usual
    Nissan Micra
    16.9% All 1997 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.9%, against 1.8% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Coil springs2× usual
    Nissan Micra
    13.6% All 1997 cars
    6.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.8% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Number plates2.1× usual
    Nissan Micra
    10.6% All 1997 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.6% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Rust in key structural areas2.9× usual
    Nissan Micra
    6.9% All 1997 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 1.6% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 6.7% here, against 17.5% of all 1997 cars.

By area

The share of 1997 Nissan Micra MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    46% 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
    36% 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
    27% 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
    27% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Rust and bodywork
    20% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    17% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

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%
1996411Suspension 41%
1995254Brakes 38%
1994204Brakes 40%
1993134Brakes 37%
1992116Suspension 41%
1991101Brakes 40%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1997 Nissan Micras registered in 1997. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score