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Nissan Micra reliability by build year

Coverage 2003-20243 named generationssuperminiHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

Nissan Micra built around 2018: fails its MOT more often than average

Nissan Micras built around 2018 fail their MOT more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the suspension on any car you view.

Check a Nissan Micra by number plate

Key figure

25% of MOT tests on Nissan Micras built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 18% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Nissan Micras built around 2018 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Nissan Micra's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Over the last three years, fail rates have risen two years running. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Micra's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Micra Mk5 (K14)

Mk5 (K14) (2017-2024)

Poor
PETROLDIESEL

24.7% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 15,045 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Micra Mk4 (K13)

Mk4 (K13) (2010-2016)

Average
PETROLDIESEL

21.1% fail rate, built around 2016 (9 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 20.8%)

From 14,546 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Micra Mk3 (K12)

Mk3 (K12) (2003-2009)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

33.3% fail rate, built around 2006 (19 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.4%)

From 20,715 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Nissan Micra.

See every build year for the Nissan Micra

Side-by-side

Nissan Micra generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk5 (K14) (2017-2024)
Poor
Poor24.7%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 15,045 MOT tests at this age
Mk4 (K13) (2010-2016)
Average
Average21.1%built around 2016 (9 years old)from 14,546 MOT tests at this age
Mk3 (K12) (2003-2009)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings33.3%built around 2006 (19 years old)from 20,715 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Micra, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Nissan Micra fail rate by age

This chart combines every Nissan Micra ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
7,1268.4%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
7,69612.0%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
8,11916.3%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
10,93520.3%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
15,04524.7%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
15,17523.7%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
14,54621.1%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
16,84823.0%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
17,98724.6%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
15,62127.5%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
16,34227.8%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
16,95728.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
23,01129.9%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
18,10029.9%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
17,93630.5%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
19,71632.3%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
20,71533.3%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
15,72134.0%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
11,84233.6%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
9,53433.0%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
6,70933.6%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
3,65332.7%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
8,21533.4%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 20 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Nissan Micra stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Nissan models

8th of 9

8th lowest fail rate of 9 Nissan models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against other hatchbacks

80th of 84

80th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against the UK average

24.7%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Nissan Micras

These issues come from 7-year-old Nissan Micras, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    25.9%
    Advisory: 4,501Fail: 1,931 (30% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    15.7%
    Advisory: 3,343Fail: 371 (10% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    14.4%
    Advisory: 2,864Fail: 267 (9% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    13.4%
    Advisory: 683Fail: 2,093 (75% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    7.3%
    Advisory: 1,014Fail: 221 (18% of the times it was found)

Based on 15,045 MOT tests on 7-year-old Nissan Micras, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Nissan Micras notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Suspension + Tyres46%
  2. Brakes + Suspension27%
  3. Brakes + Tyres22%
  4. Other + Suspension15%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 4,791 MOT tests on Nissan Micra cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

96%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

20 recalls in all

All 20 Nissan Micra recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 Critical
  • 17 more

Top concerns

  • The passenger air bag may develop a tear during deployment
  • Driver airbag may fracture during detonation
  • Airbag may not deploy

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Suzuki Celerio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.5%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.5%

    Lower fail rate: 13.9%, against 24.7% for the Nissan Micra, both built around 2018.

    5,662 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    Lower fail rate: 14.2%, against 24.7% for the Nissan Micra, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    15,657 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Toyota Aygo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.2%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Lower fail rate: 13.0%, against 24.7% for the Nissan Micra, both built around 2018.

    25,028 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Skoda Citigo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.6%
    Dangerous
    3.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.2%

    Lower fail rate: 15.3%, against 24.7% for the Nissan Micra, both built around 2018.

    6,553 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Nissan Micra across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. It has the 8th lowest fail rate of 9 Nissan models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 15,045 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Nissan Micra ever sold: 317,549 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 15,045 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.