2005 Nissan Micra — MOT failures & pass rate
111,941 MOT tests on the 2005 Nissan Micra are in this dataset, and 72.4% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 28.9% of the time, so this is 1.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 25.2% of all tests — 10.5 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and registration plate lamp(s) — headlamp aim alone was recorded 15,752 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 33.9% versus 15.0%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.4pp more often than petrol ones (30.0% vs 27.6%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 30.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 25.2% | 28,252 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.7% | 16,451 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.8% | 7,583 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.6% | 6,225 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.5% | 4,981 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.1% | 4,608 |
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 | 15,752 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 11,573 |
| 3 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 8,601 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 8,363 |
| 5 | Individual direction indicators | 6,376 |
| 6 | Wipers | 5,675 |
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 | 30.8% | 34,469 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.7% | 32,088 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 21.4% | 23,980 |
| 4 | Brakes | 20.2% | 22,611 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.3% | 20,497 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.6% | 12,975 |
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 | 3,443 | 15.0% |
| 30-60k | 24,174 | 21.6% |
| 60-90k | 39,440 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 29,159 | 30.8% |
| 120-150k | 12,014 | 32.9% |
| 150k+ | 3,633 | 33.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 110,220 | 27.6% |
| Diesel | 1,721 | 30.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 27,972 | 27.6% |
| 2022 | 24,952 | 27.2% |
| 2023 | 22,430 | 27.6% |
| 2024 | 19,740 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 16,847 | 28.0% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Micra
On a 2005 Micra, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 25.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (25.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.7% 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 (6.8% 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 2005 Nissan Micras pass their MOT?
72.4% of the 111,941 2005 Nissan Micra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Nissan Micra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 25.2% of tests, followed by suspension (14.7%).
Does the 2005 Micra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.0% in the 0-30k band to 33.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 111,941 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.