1999 Nissan Micra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 18,951 MOT tests analysed for the 1999 Nissan Micra, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 70.2% was in line with the average for superminis of a similar age (70.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 39.0% in the 150k+ group versus 21.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 3,036 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.0% | 2,283 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.5% | 2,178 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.6% | 2,003 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.7% | 1,271 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.5% | 1,040 |
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 | 3,051 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 1,449 |
| 3 | Joints | 1,262 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1,019 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 990 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 942 |
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 | 28.1% | 5,334 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.8% | 5,275 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.1% | 4,945 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.2% | 3,635 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.8% | 2,806 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.4% | 1,964 |
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 | 1,153 | 21.7% |
| 30-60k | 6,419 | 26.5% |
| 60-90k | 6,771 | 30.5% |
| 90-120k | 3,327 | 33.8% |
| 120-150k | 957 | 38.8% |
| 150k+ | 241 | 39.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,841 | 30.1% |
| 2022 | 4,575 | 29.5% |
| 2023 | 3,602 | 29.9% |
| 2024 | 2,756 | 29.3% |
| 2025 | 2,177 | 30.1% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Micra
Before buying a 1999 Nissan Micra, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 16.0% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (16.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.0% 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 (11.5% 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 1999 Nissan Micras pass their MOT?
70.2% of the 18,951 1999 Nissan Micra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Nissan Micra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.0% of tests, followed by suspension (12.0%).
Does the 1999 Micra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.7% in the 0-30k band to 39.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,951 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.