1990 Nissan Micra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 794 MOT tests, the 1990 Nissan Micra recorded a 71.9% pass rate. Superminis of a similar age fail 23.0% of the time, so this is 5.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.5%) and suspension (13.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 141 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 32.4% versus 21.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 28.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.5% | 115 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.2% | 105 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.4% | 83 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.2% | 73 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.3% | 58 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.0% | 40 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 141 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 51 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 48 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 42 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 41 |
| 6 | Wipers | 38 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 28.3% | 225 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.9% | 198 |
| 3 | Suspension | 24.4% | 194 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.9% | 142 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.6% | 116 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.2% | 105 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 47 | 21.3% |
| 30-60k | 301 | 27.9% |
| 60-90k | 299 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 103 | 34.9% |
| 120-150k | 34 | 32.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 215 | 28.4% |
| 2022 | 182 | 24.7% |
| 2023 | 159 | 28.9% |
| 2024 | 127 | 30.7% |
| 2025 | 111 | 28.8% |
What to check before buying a 1990 Micra
On a 1990 Micra, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (10.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1990 Nissan Micras pass their MOT?
71.9% of the 794 1990 Nissan Micra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1990 Nissan Micra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.5% of tests, followed by suspension (13.2%).
Does the 1990 Micra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.3% in the 0-30k band to 32.4% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 794 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.