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Nissan Micra S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Nissan Micra S car check

Is the Nissan Micra S reliable? We analysed 4,901 real MOT tests across 1,395 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 4,901 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
76.3%
Typical Mileage
79,752mi
Annual Mileage
3,725mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
21yrs

The Nissan Micra S is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Nissan Micra S.

Nissan Micra S Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Nissan Micra S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Nissan Micra S MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Nissan Micra S to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

73.5%
2005

Nissan Micra S Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Nissan Micra S fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 2

Nissan Micra S Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Nissan Micra S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
1,875 mi/yr
Typical
3,725 mi/yr
Average
4,676 mi/yr
Heavy usage
6,224 mi/yr

Nissan Micra S MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Nissan Micra S year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2005 68 73.5% 25,804 45,242 78,706

Nissan Micra S Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Nissan Micra S MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
79,752 mi
75th Percentile
101,398 mi
95th Percentile
140,034 mi
Max Recorded
311,712 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Nissan Micra S

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2005

73.5% MOT pass rate from 68 tests

The best year to buy a used Nissan Micra S is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 73.5% across 68 tests.

How Does the Nissan Micra S Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Nissan Micra S THIS CAR 76.3% 4,901 79,752 mi 21 yrs
Nissan Micra 71.4% 10,566,512 55,214 mi 37 yrs
Nissan Qashqai 77.3% 6,506,323 59,398 mi 19 yrs
Nissan Juke 79.3% 3,002,435 49,593 mi 16 yrs
Land Rover Range Rover Sprt Svr Crbn ED A 90.9% 2,039 29,750 mi — yrs

Compared to the Nissan Micra (71.4% pass rate) and the Nissan Qashqai (77.3% pass rate), the Nissan Micra S sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

Found a Nissan Micra S you like?

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Should you buy a used Nissan Micra S?

The Nissan Micra S has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.3% across 4,901 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common failure point is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm with 2 recorded occurrences. Check for this on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection.

A typical Nissan Micra S owner drives around 3,725 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Nissan Micra S models stay on UK roads for around 21 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Nissan Micra S — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Nissan Micra S reliable?
Based on 4,901 MOT tests, the Nissan Micra S has a 76.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Nissan Micra S?
The most common failure point is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.
How many miles does a Nissan Micra S do per year?
The typical Nissan Micra S does around 3,725 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Nissan Micra S last?
Most Nissan Micra S models stay on UK roads for around 21 years based on our analysis of 1,395 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Nissan Micra S?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Nissan Micra S?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Nissan Micra S is 2005 with a 73.5% pass rate across 68 tests.