Used car guide

2012 Nissan Micra: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Nissan Micras, from 11,309 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

11,309MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
4,600typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Nissan Micras than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual
    Nissan Micra
    23.3% All 2012 cars
    10.1%
    Rough price £100–£300

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

  • Coil springs1.9× usual
    Nissan Micra
    18.7% All 2012 cars
    9.6%
    Rough price £120–£300

    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.

  • Braking performance2× usual
    Nissan Micra
    10% All 2012 cars
    4.9%
    Rough price £100–£350

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

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.3× usual
    Nissan Micra
    7.3% All 2012 cars
    3.2%
    Rough price £50–£150

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Wipers2.3× usual
    Nissan Micra
    6.7% All 2012 cars
    2.9%
    Rough price £15–£60

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

Better than most

Number plate lights: 3.2% here, against 7.3% of all 2012 cars. Track rod end: 0.9% here, against 4.9% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Nissan Micra MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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
    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.

  • Brakes
    27% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    25% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    7% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20225,583Tyres 23%
20216,501Tyres 31%
20205,230Tyres 35%
20198,543Tyres 31%
20189,980Suspension 38%
201712,651Suspension 40%
201610,681Suspension 37%
201512,941Suspension 39%
201414,031Suspension 46%
201311,401Suspension 49%
201112,317Suspension 48%
201014,920Suspension 39%
200914,692Suspension 41%
200813,246Suspension 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Nissan Micras registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score