1991 Nissan Micra — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1991 Nissan Micra passed 75.1% of its 862 recorded MOT tests. Superminis of a similar age fail 23.6% of the time, so this is 1.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.5% of tests against 11.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 108 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 30.9% once past 120-150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 28.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 26.2% in 2021 to 24.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.5% | 125 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.3% | 97 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.7% | 84 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.8% | 76 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.2% | 62 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.3% | 46 |
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 | 108 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 54 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 53 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 47 |
| 5 | Washers | 43 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 39 |
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 | 28.0% | 241 |
| 2 | Suspension | 23.8% | 205 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.1% | 173 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.4% | 159 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.3% | 115 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.9% | 94 |
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 | 122 | 17.2% |
| 30-60k | 313 | 24.0% |
| 60-90k | 279 | 26.5% |
| 90-120k | 85 | 30.6% |
| 120-150k | 42 | 30.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 221 | 26.2% |
| 2022 | 208 | 26.9% |
| 2023 | 167 | 22.2% |
| 2024 | 140 | 23.6% |
| 2025 | 126 | 24.6% |
What to check before buying a 1991 Micra
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.5% of tests. Start there.
- 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 (11.3% 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 (9.7% 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 1991 Nissan Micras pass their MOT?
75.1% of the 862 1991 Nissan Micra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1991 Nissan Micra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.5% of tests, followed by suspension (11.3%).
Does the 1991 Micra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.2% in the 0-30k band to 30.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 862 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.