Used car guide

2018 Nissan Micra: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Nissan Micras, from 9,980 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

9,980MOT tests in 2025
70%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
5,800typical miles a year
7.3×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Nissan Micras than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints7.3× usual
    Nissan Micra
    23.5% All 2018 cars
    3.2%
    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 springs8.2× usual
    Nissan Micra
    13.9% All 2018 cars
    1.7%
    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints6.4× usual
    Nissan Micra
    3.2% All 2018 cars
    0.5%
    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.

  • Ball joint2.6× usual
    Nissan Micra
    3.4% All 2018 cars
    1.3%
    Rough price £80–£200

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Wipers1.7× usual
    Nissan Micra
    4.3% All 2018 cars
    2.5%
    Rough price £15–£60

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

By area

The share of 2018 Nissan Micra MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    15% 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
    6% 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
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    2% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20225,583Tyres 23%
20216,501Tyres 31%
20205,230Tyres 35%
20198,543Tyres 31%
201712,651Suspension 40%
201610,681Suspension 37%
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 2018 Nissan Micras registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score