Used car guide · 2017–2024

Nissan Micra K14: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How every year of the Nissan Micra K14 did at its MOT in 2025 compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 48,488 MOT tests.

2021best year: 89% pass first time, 2 points above all 2021 cars
2018weakest year: 70% pass first time, 11 points below all 2018 cars
Suspension arm bushes and jointsthe weak spot that shows up in 5 different years

Year by year

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Nissan Micra K14, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

50%75%100%2017: 67% pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%) 67% 2017*2018: 70% pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%) 70% 20182019: 78% pass first time (all 2019 cars: 84%) 78% 20192020: 82% pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%) 82% 20202021: 89% pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%) 89% 20212022: 91% pass first time (all 2022 cars: 89%) 91% 2022
This model, first-time pass rate All cars registered that year · * changeover year: some cars are the previous or next generation
YearPass first timeAll cars that yearStands outMOT tests
2017*67%78% -11Suspension arm bushes and joints 4.6× usual12,651
201870%81% -11Suspension arm bushes and joints 7.3× usual9,980
201978%84% -6Suspension arm bushes and joints 9.2× usual8,543
202082%86% -4Suspension arm bushes and joints 10.3× usual5,230
202189%87% +2Tyre condition 2.1× usual6,501
202291%89% +2Suspension arm bushes and joints 14.7× usual5,583

Weak spots across the Nissan Micra K14

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.

  • Suspension arm bushes and jointsup to 14.7× usual

    Stands out in 5 years: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

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

  • Shock absorbersup to 3× usual

    Stands out in 4 years: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

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

  • Coil springsup to 8.2× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2020, 2019, 2018.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    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.

  • Wipersup to 2.3× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2020, 2019, 2018.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

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

  • Tyre conditionup to 2.1× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2021, 2020, 2019.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

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

  • Wheelsup to 5.6× usual

    Stands out in 2 years: 2022, 2021.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

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

Known faults

From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.

  • Blocked DPF on low-mileage diesels

    The 1.5 dCi diesel's particulate filter needs regular longer runs to clean itself. Cars used mainly for short trips can block it.

    Check: Look for a DPF warning light and ask how the car has been used.

    If it needs doing: DPF clean or regeneration, about £160–£500. ClickMechanic

    Source: Auto Express: used Nissan Micra Mk5

  • Four recalls to check

    This Micra has been recalled for the ignition barrel, wheel hubs, airbags and VIN labels.

    Check: Give the VIN to a Nissan dealer and ask them to confirm all recall work is done.

    Source: Auto Express: used Nissan Micra Mk5

  • Misty lights

    The lights are vented, so a little misting is normal, but heavy moisture sitting inside the lens isn't.

    Check: Look inside the front and rear lights for pooled water.

    Source: Auto Express: used Nissan Micra Mk5

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score

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