Used car guide

2020 Nissan Micra: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2020 Nissan Micras, from 5,230 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,230MOT tests in 2025
82%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)
5,200typical miles a year
10.3×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2020 Nissan Micras than on all cars registered in 2020.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints10.3× usual
    Nissan Micra
    18.5% All 2020 cars
    1.8%
    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.

  • Tyre condition2.1× usual
    Nissan Micra
    28.4% All 2020 cars
    13.5%
    Rough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

  • Shock absorbers3× usual
    Nissan Micra
    6% All 2020 cars
    2%
    Rough price £150–£400

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Wipers2.3× usual
    Nissan Micra
    6.8% All 2020 cars
    2.9%
    Rough price £15–£60

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

  • Coil springs5.3× usual
    Nissan Micra
    2.1% All 2020 cars
    0.4%
    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.

By area

The share of 2020 Nissan Micra MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    35% 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.

  • Suspension
    25% 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
    12% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Looking at a Nissan Micra?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20225,583Tyres 23%
20216,501Tyres 31%
20198,543Tyres 31%
20189,980Suspension 38%
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 2020 Nissan Micras registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score