Used car guide

2002 Nissan Micra: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Nissan Micras, from 5,966 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,966MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
2,800typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Nissan Micras than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.5× usual
    Nissan Micra
    17.4% All 2002 cars
    6.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.3%, against 3% of all 2002 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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.2× usual
    Nissan Micra
    15.3% All 2002 cars
    7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.9%, against 3.5% of all 2002 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.

  • Braking performance1.6× usual
    Nissan Micra
    12.1% All 2002 cars
    7.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 3.1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Brakes pulling to one side2.5× usual
    Nissan Micra
    5.7% All 2002 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 1.7% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Rust in key structural areas2.6× usual
    Nissan Micra
    4.1% All 2002 cars
    1.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.1% of all 2002 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

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 1.9% here, against 8.3% of all 2002 cars. Headlights: 5% here, against 10.8% of all 2002 cars.

By area

The share of 2002 Nissan Micra MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    40% 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.

  • Suspension
    38% 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.

  • Tyres
    31% 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
    30% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    18% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

  • Rust and bodywork
    15% 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.

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%
20013,340Suspension 41%
20002,183Suspension 42%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Nissan Micras registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score