1995 Nissan Micra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,584 MOT tests, the 1995 Nissan Micra recorded a 70.0% pass rate. Superminis of a similar age fail 27.9% of the time, so this is 2.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.7%) and body, structure & corrosion (11.9%) 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 and joints — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 395 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 21.3% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 30.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 381 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.9% | 307 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.4% | 294 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.4% | 244 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.1% | 236 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.8% | 123 |
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 | 395 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 175 |
| 3 | Joints | 175 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 168 |
| 5 | Wipers | 154 |
| 6 | Washers | 153 |
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 | 30.8% | 795 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.1% | 572 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.8% | 562 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.7% | 510 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.3% | 395 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.1% | 260 |
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 | 115 | 15.7% |
| 30-60k | 783 | 28.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,021 | 31.3% |
| 90-120k | 492 | 33.9% |
| 120-150k | 113 | 31.0% |
| 150k+ | 47 | 21.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 802 | 31.7% |
| 2022 | 599 | 29.5% |
| 2023 | 489 | 28.2% |
| 2024 | 367 | 27.8% |
| 2025 | 327 | 32.1% |
What to check before buying a 1995 Micra
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.9% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Suspension (11.4% 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.
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 1995 Nissan Micras pass their MOT?
70.0% of the 2,584 1995 Nissan Micra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1995 Nissan Micra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.7% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (11.9%).
Does the 1995 Micra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.7% in the 0-30k band to 21.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,584 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.