At a Glance
The Nissan Micra has 27 identified common problems across 5 generations, with the K11 (1992-2003) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 7.5M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Nissan Micra common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Nissan Micra generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Nissan Micra Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
K10
Top issue: Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst)
K11
Top issue: Driveshaft fault
K12
Top issue: Headlamp fault
K13
Most common MOT failure: Wiper blades deteriorated
K14
Most common MOT failure: Wiper blades deteriorated
Most Common Nissan Micra MOT Failures
Every reason Nissan Micra vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 11.10% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 7.74% |
| 3 | Number plate lamp not working | 7.66% |
| 4 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 5.82% |
| 5 | Tyre condition | 4.84% |
| 6 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 4.67% |
| 7 | Front lamp not working | 4.60% |
| 8 | Windscreen washer not working | 4.11% |
| 9 | Brake performance below minimum | 3.37% |
| 10 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.04% |
| 11 | Exhaust system fault | 2.96% |
| 12 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.71% |
| 13 | Track rod end worn | 2.71% |
| 14 | Driveshaft fault | 2.62% |
| 15 | Stop lamp not working | 2.56% |
| 16 | Suspension mounting corroded | 2.44% |
| 17 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 2.17% |
| 18 | Position lamp not working | 2.09% |
| 19 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.66% |
| 20 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.56% |
| 21 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.09% |
| 22 | Indicator fault | 1.07% |
| 23 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.99% |
| 24 | Fog lamp not working | 0.96% |
| 25 | Headlamp fault | 0.90% |
| 26 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.85% |
| 27 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.84% |
| 28 | Rear suspension fault | 0.80% |
| 29 | Chassis condition | 0.78% |
| 30 | Rear lamp not working | 0.73% |
| 31 | Airbag warning light on | 0.68% |
| 32 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.64% |
| 33 | Seat belt condition | 0.63% |
| 34 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.61% |
| 35 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.60% |
| 36 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.52% |
| 37 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.50% |
| 38 | Parking brake condition | 0.38% |
| 39 | Horn not working | 0.37% |
| 40 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.37% |
| 41 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.34% |
| 42 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.32% |
| 43 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.30% |
| 44 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.30% |
| 45 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.29% |
| 46 | Front suspension fault | 0.24% |
| 47 | Steering rack fault | 0.20% |
| 48 | Brake fluid leak | 0.19% |
| 49 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.17% |
| 50 | ABS fault | 0.17% |
| 51 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.16% |
| 52 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.13% |
| 53 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.13% |
| 54 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.11% |
| 55 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.11% |
| 56 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.10% |
| 57 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.08% |
| 58 | Brake lever fault | 0.07% |
| 59 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.07% |
| 60 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.07% |
| 61 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.07% |
| 62 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.07% |
| 63 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.07% |
| 64 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.06% |
| 65 | Electrical switch fault | 0.06% |
| 66 | Engine oil leak | 0.05% |
| 67 | Brake caliper fault | 0.05% |
| 68 | CV joint worn | 0.05% |
| 69 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 70 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.05% |
| 71 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.05% |
| 72 | Body security fault | 0.04% |
| 73 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.04% |
| 74 | Brake pedal fault | 0.04% |
| 75 | Driver airbag fault | 0.04% |
| 76 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.04% |
| 77 | Steering lock fault | 0.04% |
| 78 | Propshaft fault | 0.03% |
| 79 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.03% |
| 80 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 81 | Steering arm worn | 0.03% |
| 82 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.03% |
| 83 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.03% |
| 84 | Driver door fault | 0.03% |
| 85 | Steering free play excessive | 0.02% |
| 86 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 87 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.02% |
| 88 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | Front passenger door fault | 0.02% |
| 90 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.02% |
| 91 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 92 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 93 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.02% |
| 95 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 96 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 97 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Drag link end worn | 0.02% |
| 99 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 100 | Electric power steering fault | 0.02% |
| 101 | Power steering pump fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.01% |
| 103 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 104 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 105 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 106 | Suspension unit fault | 0.01% |
| 107 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.01% |
| 108 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.01% |
| 109 | Steering column fault | 0.01% |
| 110 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 111 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 115 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 116 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 122 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 125 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 128 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 129 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 131 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 133 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 136 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 137 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 139 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 140 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 141 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 144 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 145 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 147 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 149 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 150 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 151 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 152 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 157 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 161 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 162 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 164 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 165 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 169 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 170 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 172 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 174 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 175 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 177 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 179 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 180 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 181 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 186 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 187 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 188 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 189 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 190 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 191 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 192 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 193 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 194 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 195 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 196 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
Showing all 196 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Nissan Micra MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Nissan Micra, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Nissan Micra problems?
Based on analysis of 7.5M Nissan Micra MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 27 identified common problems across 5 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Driveshaft fault". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Nissan Micra generation has the most problems?
The Nissan Micra K11 (1992-2003) (1992–2003) has the highest number of identified common problems (23). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Nissan Micra?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Nissan Micra owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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