Used car guide

2016 Nissan Micra: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Nissan Micras, from 10,681 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

10,681MOT tests in 2025
73%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
4,100typical miles a year
4×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Nissan Micras than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints4× usual
    Nissan Micra
    24.1% All 2016 cars
    6.1%
    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.

  • Braking performance5.8× usual
    Nissan Micra
    14.5% All 2016 cars
    2.5%
    Rough price £100–£350

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

  • Coil springs3.6× usual
    Nissan Micra
    14.7% All 2016 cars
    4.1%
    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.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.2× usual
    Nissan Micra
    6.1% All 2016 cars
    1.9%
    Rough price £100–£400

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Wipers2.5× usual
    Nissan Micra
    6.2% All 2016 cars
    2.5%
    Rough price £15–£60

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

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 1.7% here, against 4.3% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 Nissan Micra MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    37% 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
    30% 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
    28% 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
    12% 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
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    5% 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
20225,583Tyres 23%
20216,501Tyres 31%
20205,230Tyres 35%
20198,543Tyres 31%
20189,980Suspension 38%
201712,651Suspension 40%
201512,941Suspension 39%
201414,031Suspension 46%
201311,401Suspension 49%
201211,309Suspension 48%
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 2016 Nissan Micras registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score