Nissan Micra Reliability: MOT Pass Rate by Year & Engine

Verdict

The Nissan Micra passes its MOT first time on 62.9% of tests, 5.4 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (68.3%). That puts it ahead of 23% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2008 Micra does best (beats 45% of cars) and the 2017 worst (beats 2%).

Of its engines, the 1.4 Petrol does best (beats 37%) and the 0.9 Petrol worst (beats 3%).

Better than average on emissions & leaks.

Watch these weak spots

Lights & electrics1.4×as often as a typical car

Suspension1.3×as often as a typical car

Number plate lights3.5×as often as a typical car

Headlight aim1.6×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

Nissan MicraTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

Beats 6%

Beats 6%

Beats 6%

Beats 6%

Beats 9%

Beats 8%

Beats 14%

Beats 12%

Beats 17%

Beats 22%

Beats 26%

Beats 26%

Beats 25%

Beats 37%

Beats 35%

Beats 45%

Beats 35%

Beats 30%

Beats 23%

Beats 12%

Beats 13%

Beats 16%

Beats 12%

Beats 5%

Beats 2%

Beats 3%

Beats 11%

Beats 10%

Beats 29%

Beats 40%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

Engine	Years	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.2 Petrol	2003–2017	1,537,677	63.9%	Beats 25%	D
1.0 Petrol	1993–2022	405,018	59.9%	Beats 15%	E
1.4 Petrol	2003–2010	142,663	57.9%	Beats 37%	D
0.9 Petrol	2017–2019	91,763	78.9%	Beats 3%	E
1.3 Petrol	1993–2002	60,904	52.4%	Beats 16%	E
1.5 Diesel	2003–2019	53,740	58.3%	Beats 17%	E
1.6 Petrol	2005–2009	44,869	55.3%	Beats 32%	D

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical

Lights: 18.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 13.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics

18.8% vs 13.4%

Suspension

13.8% vs 10.5%

Visibility

7.4% vs 5.7%

Brakes

6.7% vs 8.0%

Tyres

6.0% vs 5.8%

Body & structure

4.6% vs 4.5%

Emissions & leaks

2.9% vs 3.8%

Seat belts & airbags

2.2% vs 1.4%

Steering

1.9% vs 2.1%

Wheels

0.3% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Number plate lights 3.5× typical
Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
Headlight aim 1.6× typical
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
Windscreen wipers 1.6× typical
Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
Suspension arm bushes 2.3× typical
Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
Headlight bulbs & units 1.6× typical
Check dipped and main beam on both sides.
Coil springs
Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

Nissan MicraTypical car

Most common MOT failures

Item	This car	Typical	vs typical
Headlight aim	5.7%	3.6%	1.6×
Sidelights	4.8%	3.0%	1.6×
Number plate lights	4.5%	1.3%	3.5×
Windscreen wipers	4.4%	2.8%	1.6×
Headlight bulbs & units	3.8%	2.4%	1.6×
Coil springs	3.3%	2.6%	1.3×
Tyre damage & cracking	2.9%	3.3%	0.9×
Suspension arm bushes	2.7%	1.2%	2.3×
Tyre tread depth	2.7%	2.2%	1.2×
Windscreen washers	2.6%	2.4%	1.1×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defect	per 1,000
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements	56.6
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn	55.4
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen	42.5
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps	39.3
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	37.3
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened	33.0
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements	26.7
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen	26.3

Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2022 Nissan Micra1 engine90.0% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	10,816	90.0%	Beats 40%	C

2021 Nissan Micra1 engine88.4% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	18,960	88.4%	Beats 29%	D

2020 Nissan Micra1 engine85.5% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	23,937	85.5%	Beats 10%	E

2019 Nissan Micra3 engines84.0% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	28,770	84.4%	Beats 11%	E
0.9 Petrol	11,315	83.9%	Beats 13%	E
1.5 Diesel	1,679	77.1%	Beats 5%	E

2018 Nissan Micra3 engines79.2% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
0.9 Petrol	38,436	80.0%	Beats 4%	E
1.0 Petrol	13,626	79.6%	Beats 3%	E
1.5 Diesel	6,791	74.0%	Beats 1%	E

2017 Nissan Micra4 engines76.4% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
0.9 Petrol	42,012	76.6%	Beats 2%	E
1.2 Petrol	26,833	78.6%	Beats 2%	E
1.0 Petrol	9,643	74.2%	Beats 1%	E
1.5 Diesel	7,514	70.2%	Beats 1%	E

2016 Nissan Micra1 engine78.8% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.2 Petrol	83,562	78.8%	Beats 5%	E

2015 Nissan Micra1 engine78.0% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.2 Petrol	114,266	78.0%	Beats 12%	E

2014 Nissan Micra1 engine75.4% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.2 Petrol	124,321	75.4%	Beats 16%	E

2013 Nissan Micra1 engine70.7% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.2 Petrol	101,064	70.7%	Beats 13%	E

2012 Nissan Micra1 engine66.4% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.2 Petrol	101,158	66.4%	Beats 12%	E

2011 Nissan Micra1 engine66.1% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.2 Petrol	111,671	66.1%	Beats 23%	D

2010 Nissan Micra3 engines63.0% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.2 Petrol	130,465	63.5%	Beats 31%	D
1.5 Diesel	8,388	54.4%	Beats 17%	E
1.4 Petrol	2,853	68.0%	Beats 44%	C

2009 Nissan Micra4 engines62.2% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.2 Petrol	113,478	62.9%	Beats 36%	D
1.4 Petrol	13,828	63.7%	Beats 41%	C
1.5 Diesel	13,079	54.6%	Beats 25%	D
1.6 Petrol	1,785	62.7%	Beats 39%	D

2008 Nissan Micra4 engines61.7% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.2 Petrol	100,459	62.2%	Beats 47%	C
1.4 Petrol	20,302	62.1%	Beats 44%	C
1.6 Petrol	7,816	58.1%	Beats 33%	D
1.5 Diesel	3,573	52.6%	Beats 29%	D

2007 Nissan Micra4 engines58.3% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.2 Petrol	88,201	58.2%	Beats 34%	D
1.4 Petrol	23,698	60.1%	Beats 40%	C
1.6 Petrol	11,863	56.7%	Beats 33%	D
1.5 Diesel	2,079	48.5%	Beats 20%	D

2006 Nissan Micra4 engines56.4% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.2 Petrol	128,367	56.2%	Beats 36%	D
1.4 Petrol	26,367	59.5%	Beats 47%	C
1.6 Petrol	18,887	54.2%	Beats 32%	D
1.5 Diesel	2,190	49.5%	Beats 28%	D

2005 Nissan Micra5 engines51.6% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.2 Petrol	139,058	51.7%	Beats 25%	D
1.4 Petrol	19,819	53.4%	Beats 29%	D
1.6 Petrol	4,518	49.1%	Beats 23%	D
1.0 Petrol	4,381	47.1%	Beats 17%	E
1.5 Diesel	3,003	47.6%	Beats 28%	D

2004 Nissan Micra4 engines51.2% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.2 Petrol	97,133	51.0%	Beats 25%	D
1.4 Petrol	19,100	53.6%	Beats 33%	D
1.0 Petrol	13,835	49.6%	Beats 24%	D
1.5 Diesel	3,578	48.2%	Beats 33%	D

2003 Nissan Micra4 engines51.3% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.2 Petrol	77,641	51.0%	Beats 25%	D
1.0 Petrol	35,996	52.3%	Beats 27%	D
1.4 Petrol	16,696	51.0%	Beats 26%	D
1.5 Diesel	1,866	47.6%	Beats 32%	D

2002 Nissan Micra2 engines53.0% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	84,101	52.9%	Beats 22%	D
1.3 Petrol	13,477	53.8%	Beats 26%	D

2001 Nissan Micra2 engines51.3% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	52,115	51.0%	Beats 17%	E
1.3 Petrol	11,992	52.6%	Beats 22%	D

2000 Nissan Micra2 engines49.3% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	41,498	49.1%	Beats 11%	E
1.3 Petrol	6,900	50.7%	Beats 15%	E

1999 Nissan Micra2 engines51.0% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	27,714	50.8%	Beats 13%	E
1.3 Petrol	11,509	51.6%	Beats 14%	E

1998 Nissan Micra2 engines49.8% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	15,834	49.4%	Beats 7%	E
1.3 Petrol	7,210	50.7%	Beats 9%	E

1997 Nissan Micra2 engines52.1% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	9,018	50.9%	Beats 7%	E
1.3 Petrol	3,168	55.4%	Beats 17%	E

1996 Nissan Micra2 engines50.8% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	6,178	49.7%	Beats 5%	E
1.3 Petrol	2,700	53.4%	Beats 9%	E

1995 Nissan Micra2 engines51.7% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	4,076	51.0%	Beats 5%	E
1.3 Petrol	1,445	53.8%	Beats 9%	E

1994 Nissan Micra2 engines52.8% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	2,875	53.0%	Beats 6%	E
1.3 Petrol	1,375	52.6%	Beats 6%	E

1993 Nissan Micra2 engines53.0% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	1,645	54.1%	Beats 8%	E
1.3 Petrol	1,128	51.5%	Beats 5%	E

FAQ

What is the Nissan Micra MOT pass rate?

62.9% of MOT tests on the Nissan Micra were passed first time, based on 2,336,634 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1993–2022. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 68.3% of the time.

Is the Nissan Micra reliable?

On MOT results it rates D (below average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 23% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Nissan Micra year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2008 Micra does best for its age and mileage: it beats 45% of cars on UK roads. The 2017 does worst: it beats 2%.

Which Nissan Micra engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.4 Petrol does best: it beats 37% of cars on UK roads. The 0.9 Petrol does worst: it beats 3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Nissan Micra?

The most common failure items are headlight aim, sidelights, number plate lights. Compared with similar cars, number plate lights comes up 3.5× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.

Nissan Micra reliability

Verdict

Watch these weak spots

MOT pass rate by age

Best and worst years

Engines

Where it fails

Every MOT area

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Pass rate by mileage

Most common MOT failures

Specific defects found

Every year and engine

FAQ