Used car guide

2021 Nissan Micra: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Nissan Micras, from 6,501 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

6,501MOT tests in 2025
89%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
5,200typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for tyre condition

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2021 Nissan Micras than on all cars registered in 2021.

  • Tyre condition2.1× usual
    Nissan Micra
    24.5% All 2021 cars
    11.5%
    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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints9.9× usual
    Nissan Micra
    10.9% All 2021 cars
    1.1%
    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.

  • Wheels4.5× usual
    Nissan Micra
    2.7% All 2021 cars
    0.6%
    Rough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Shock absorbers1.9× usual
    Nissan Micra
    3.3% All 2021 cars
    1.7%
    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.

By area

The share of 2021 Nissan Micra MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    14% 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
    9% 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
    6% 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%
20205,230Tyres 35%
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 2021 Nissan Micras registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score