2004 Nissan Micra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 81,287 MOT tests, the 2004 Nissan Micra recorded a 72.2% pass rate. Superminis of a similar age fail 29.2% of the time, so this is 1.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 24.7% of tests against 14.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and registration plate lamp(s) — headlamp aim alone was recorded 11,439 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 33.6% once past 150k — 2.1× the risk.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 27.8% of the time against 29.3% for diesel.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 29.6% 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 | 24.7% | 20,051 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.4% | 11,746 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.9% | 5,586 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.2% | 4,204 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 3,805 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.4% | 3,583 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 11,439 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 8,999 |
| 3 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 5,509 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 5,382 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 4,114 |
| 6 | Wipers | 4,012 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 29.6% | 24,094 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.5% | 23,151 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 23.0% | 18,704 |
| 4 | Brakes | 20.5% | 16,647 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.9% | 9,675 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.7% | 9,485 |
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 | 2,549 | 15.8% |
| 30-60k | 18,891 | 22.9% |
| 60-90k | 29,778 | 28.2% |
| 90-120k | 20,698 | 31.0% |
| 120-150k | 7,270 | 32.3% |
| 150k+ | 2,032 | 33.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 79,417 | 27.8% |
| Diesel | 1,869 | 29.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 21,683 | 27.9% |
| 2022 | 18,636 | 27.9% |
| 2023 | 15,996 | 27.5% |
| 2024 | 13,755 | 27.9% |
| 2025 | 11,217 | 28.0% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Micra
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 24.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (24.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.4% 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.
- Visibility (6.9% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2004 Nissan Micras pass their MOT?
72.2% of the 81,287 2004 Nissan Micra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Nissan Micra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 24.7% of tests, followed by suspension (14.4%).
Does the 2004 Micra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.8% in the 0-30k band to 33.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 81,287 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.