1998 Nissan Micra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 11,272 MOT tests analysed for the 1998 Nissan Micra, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 69.6% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (70.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 36.2% in the 150k+ group versus 21.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 1,744 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.2% | 1,490 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.8% | 1,330 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.2% | 1,151 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.4% | 830 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 6.2% | 699 |
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 | 2,097 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 937 |
| 3 | Joints | 770 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 594 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 593 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 588 |
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 | 28.8% | 3,243 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.4% | 3,201 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.3% | 2,851 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.1% | 2,043 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.3% | 1,951 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.6% | 1,196 |
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 | 605 | 21.6% |
| 30-60k | 3,849 | 27.8% |
| 60-90k | 4,254 | 31.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,865 | 34.4% |
| 120-150k | 539 | 37.1% |
| 150k+ | 141 | 36.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,357 | 30.3% |
| 2022 | 2,709 | 30.1% |
| 2023 | 2,180 | 30.5% |
| 2024 | 1,641 | 30.4% |
| 2025 | 1,385 | 31.1% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Micra
Before buying a 1998 Nissan Micra, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 15.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (15.5% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.8% 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+.
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 1998 Nissan Micras pass their MOT?
69.6% of the 11,272 1998 Nissan Micra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Nissan Micra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.5% of tests, followed by suspension (13.2%).
Does the 1998 Micra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.6% in the 0-30k band to 36.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,272 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.