Nissan Micra: what fails at MOT
279,000 MOT tests on the Nissan Micra in 2024, counted. 34.3% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
34.3% of Nissan Micra tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 31.4%, so the Micra is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (12.3% of tests), suspension (10.3% of tests) and wipers, washers and windscreen (5.2% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, suspension and wipers, washers and windscreen more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,944 | 8.4% | 10.9% | 15,600 10,000 to 22,400 |
| 2020 | 8,486 | 11.3% | 11.5% | 20,100 13,400 to 28,200 |
| 2019 | 11,348 | 16.1% | 13.4% | 26,400 17,500 to 35,900 |
| 2018 | 13,347 | 21.8% | 15.6% | 34,700 24,700 to 46,500 |
| 2017 | 17,069 | 27.3% | 18.2% | 38,000 25,900 to 51,600 |
| 2016 | 13,756 | 24.3% | 21.3% | 32,600 21,100 to 47,800 |
| 2015 | 16,740 | 26.4% | 24.4% | 40,100 26,600 to 57,200 |
| 2014 | 18,320 | 30.3% | 27.7% | 44,200 29,700 to 63,300 |
| 2013 | 15,260 | 32.2% | 30.6% | 49,600 33,800 to 68,800 |
| 2012 | 14,937 | 36.0% | 33.4% | 55,900 38,600 to 76,500 |
| 2011 | 16,360 | 38.1% | 36.1% | 61,200 42,900 to 82,500 |
| 2010 | 18,943 | 38.8% | 38.6% | 69,700 47,800 to 94,200 |
| 2009 | 18,569 | 41.1% | 39.8% | 72,300 49,200 to 98,100 |
| 2008 | 17,936 | 41.3% | 41.5% | 77,100 54,600 to 102,400 |
| 2007 | 16,343 | 44.9% | 41.5% | 77,800 56,000 to 102,900 |
| 2006 | 21,287 | 45.7% | 42.4% | 84,200 61,300 to 109,400 |
| 2005 | 18,302 | 48.2% | 42.2% | 83,700 61,600 to 107,100 |
| 2004 | 12,964 | 48.8% | 42.3% | 81,000 60,300 to 103,600 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Nissan Micra tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Micra | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics More than most | 12.3% | 9.3% |
| Suspension More than most | 10.3% | 7.6% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen More than most | 5.2% | 3.5% |
| Brakes | 4.5% | 5.6% |
| Tyres | 4.2% | 4.4% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 2.3% | 3.1% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.2% | 2.7% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.0% | 0.9% |
The parts that fail most
- Headlamp aim3.9%
- Side light3.7%
- Number plate light3.5%
- Suspension pins and bushes3.4%
- Wipers3.1%
- Tyre2.7%
- Headlamp2.5%
- Ball joint2.5%
- Coil spring2.4%
- Washers2.1%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working3.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.2%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps3.0%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.0%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.4%
- Ball joint: excessively worn2.3%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.3%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.7%
- Footbrake: excessively binding1.6%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.3%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement12.6%
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge11.6%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing10.3%
- Coil spring: corroded6.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.0%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive4.3%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.7%
- Footbrake: binding but not excessively2.4%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Nissan Micra's own MOT record
Looking at a Micra? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.