2002 Nissan Micra — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Nissan Micra passed 71.0% of its 56,360 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (29.4% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.2% of tests against 11.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, joints and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 7,354 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 19.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 34.8% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 31.6% 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 | 15.2% | 8,555 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.9% | 6,727 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.3% | 6,351 |
| 4 | Suspension | 10.4% | 5,859 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.8% | 3,261 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.7% | 2,638 |
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 | 7,354 |
| 2 | Joints | 5,195 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 3,099 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 2,993 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 2,825 |
| 6 | Wipers | 2,727 |
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 | 31.6% | 17,808 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.5% | 14,924 |
| 3 | Suspension | 24.0% | 13,545 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.6% | 9,331 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.6% | 7,667 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.9% | 5,577 |
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 | 4,668 | 19.1% |
| 30-60k | 20,449 | 26.6% |
| 60-90k | 19,203 | 30.7% |
| 90-120k | 8,222 | 33.3% |
| 120-150k | 2,247 | 36.7% |
| 150k+ | 574 | 34.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,343 | 29.3% |
| 2022 | 12,949 | 28.8% |
| 2023 | 11,053 | 28.9% |
| 2024 | 9,268 | 29.0% |
| 2025 | 7,747 | 29.0% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Micra
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.2% 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+.
- Brakes (11.3% 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 2002 Nissan Micras pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 56,360 2002 Nissan Micra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Nissan Micra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.2% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (11.9%).
Does the 2002 Micra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.1% in the 0-30k band to 34.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 56,360 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.