1998 Nissan Micra — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1998 Nissan Micra passed 69.6% of its 11,272 recorded MOT tests. Against superminis of a similar age (29.3% fail rate), the 1998 Micra comes out 1.1pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.5%) 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, prescribed areas and joints — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 2,097 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.6% in the 0-30k band and 36.2% in the 150k+ band, a 14.5-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 28.8% of tests without failing them.
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
On a 1998 Micra, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.