Part of the Nissan Micra K12 (2003–2010) guide: best and worst years compared.

Used car guide

2003 Nissan Micra: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Nissan Micras, from 7,615 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,615MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
3,500typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Nissan Micras than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Headlights1.9× usual
    Nissan Micra
    23.3% All 2003 cars
    12.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 4.4% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.8× usual
    Nissan Micra
    15.7% All 2003 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.8% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Side repeaters4.1× usual
    Nissan Micra
    7% All 2003 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

  • Track rod ends1.8× usual
    Nissan Micra
    11.6% All 2003 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 2.7% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

  • Headlight aim1.7× usual
    Nissan Micra
    10.8% All 2003 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.8%, against 6.5% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 6.1% here, against 18.3% of all 2003 cars. Braking performance: 2.9% here, against 7.1% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Nissan Micra MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    49% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    48% 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
    34% 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.

  • Brakes
    26% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    15% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    14% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

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%
20025,966Brakes 40%
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 2003 Nissan Micras registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score