Used car guide · 1984–2026

Nissan Micra common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Nissan Micra, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 733,822 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

733,822MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
264,962on the UK register
9known faults across all years
2021best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20262023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984

Generation guides: Nissan Micra K12 (2003–2010) · Nissan Micra K13 (2010–2017) · Nissan Micra K14 (2017–2024)

What usually goes wrong with a Nissan Micra?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Turbo failure (diesel)

    Cars registered 2003–2009 · 1.5 dCi diesel

    Some diesels have had serious turbo problems.

    At the viewing: Listen for whistling and watch for smoke or lost power.

    Source: What Car?: used Nissan Micra (2002-2010) buying guide

  • Engine management recall

    Cars registered 2010–2016 · All engines

    All 2010 to 2015 Micras were recalled for an engine management fault that could cause brief unintended acceleration. Some cars built July 2015 to January 2016 had an ignition coil that could stall the engine.

    At the viewing: Ask a Nissan dealer to check the reg for outstanding recalls.

    Source: What Car?: used Nissan Micra 2010-2016 advice

  • Flat batteries and immobiliser faults

    Cars registered 2003–2009 · All engines

    Batteries going flat, immobiliser and software problems, and keyless entry faults are common.

    At the viewing: Make sure it starts first time and the key works properly.

    Source: What Car?: used Nissan Micra (2002-2010) buying guide

  • CVT automatic needs fluid changes

    Cars registered 2010–2016 · CVT automatic

    CVT gearbox problems usually come from missed fluid changes, due every three years.

    At the viewing: Look for the gearbox fluid change in the history.

    Source: What Car?: used Nissan Micra 2010-2016 advice

  • Blocked DPF on low-mileage diesels

    Cars registered 2017–2023 · 1.5 dCi diesel

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

    At the viewing: 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

    Cars registered 2017–2023 · All engines

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

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

    Source: Auto Express: used Nissan Micra Mk5

  • Leaking tailgate

    Cars registered 2003–2009 · All engines

    The rear hatch can leak.

    At the viewing: Look for damp in the boot.

    Source: What Car?: used Nissan Micra (2002-2010) buying guide

  • Slipping clutch

    Cars registered 2010–2016 · Manual gearbox

    Check the clutch has a clear biting point and doesn't slip.

    At the viewing: Accelerate in a high gear from low speed: revs rising without speed means slip.

    If it needs doing: Clutch replacement, about £250–£600. ClickMechanic

    Source: What Car?: used Nissan Micra 2010-2016 advice

  • Misty lights

    Cars registered 2017–2023 · All engines

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

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

    Source: Auto Express: used Nissan Micra Mk5

Common Nissan Micra MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 11.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    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.

  • Wipers

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

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

  • Coil springs

    up to 7.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    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.

  • Individual direction indicators

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009 and 2010.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Tyre condition

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2018 and 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.

Diesel

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 13.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    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.

  • Individual direction indicators

    up to 3.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Ball joint

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

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

  • Coil springs

    up to 10.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    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.

  • Wipers

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

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

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 10× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

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

Nissan Micra MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2021 Nissan Micra did best (90% passed first time, 3 points above all 2021 cars) and the 2017 did worst (71%, 9 points below all 2017 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202291%89% +26,199
202190%87% +313,302
202087%87% +018,533
201983%85% -225,373
201876%83% -729,523
201771%80% -937,587
201676%77% -131,741
201574%74% +038,432
201471%70% +141,713
201366%67% -133,976
201264%64% +034,053
201163%62% +137,306
201060%60% +046,214
200959%59% +046,013
200859%57% +241,890
200756%57% -138,505
200655%56% -150,932
200551%57% -644,260
200452%57% -530,756
200352%57% -528,063
200254%58% -421,405
200154%60% -612,388
200052%61% -98,322
199954%63% -96,564
199854%65% -114,022
199754%65% -112,038
199654%66% -121,528
199556%67% -11933
199457%67% -10741
199359%68% -9475 (small sample)
199267%69% -2366 (small sample)
199164%71% -7356 (small sample)
199057%72% -15313 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Nissan Micra

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Has the turbo been replaced?
  2. Has all the recall work been done?
  3. When was the gearbox fluid changed?
  4. Has it done regular motorway runs, and has the DPF ever been cleaned?
  5. Has the clutch been replaced?
  6. Have any lights been replaced?

Looking at a Nissan Micra?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score