2006 Nissan Micra — MOT failures & pass rate
120,386 MOT tests on the 2006 Nissan Micra are in this dataset, and 74.8% of them passed. Against superminis of a similar age (28.4% fail rate), the 2006 Micra comes out 3.3pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.3% of tests against 12.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and registration plate lamp(s) — headlamp aim alone was recorded 11,810 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 33.5% versus 11.8%.
The petrol cars hold up better: 25.1% fail against 29.0% for diesel, a 3.9-point gap across 120,386 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 29.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 24.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.3% | 26,841 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.7% | 15,278 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.5% | 7,769 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.3% | 6,428 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.9% | 5,840 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.7% | 4,428 |
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 | 11,810 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 8,881 |
| 3 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 8,428 |
| 4 | Individual direction indicators | 8,280 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 6,169 |
| 6 | Wipers | 5,841 |
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 | 29.1% | 35,080 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.5% | 34,290 |
| 3 | Brakes | 21.6% | 25,971 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 21,044 |
| 5 | Other defects | 12.4% | 14,924 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.2% | 13,459 |
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 | 4,538 | 11.8% |
| 30-60k | 26,071 | 19.1% |
| 60-90k | 40,998 | 24.8% |
| 90-120k | 31,046 | 29.0% |
| 120-150k | 12,964 | 31.1% |
| 150k+ | 4,709 | 33.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 118,964 | 25.1% |
| Diesel | 1,422 | 29.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 27,744 | 24.2% |
| 2022 | 25,978 | 24.7% |
| 2023 | 24,444 | 25.3% |
| 2024 | 22,269 | 25.7% |
| 2025 | 19,951 | 26.4% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Micra
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 22.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (22.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.7% 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 (6.5% 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 2006 Nissan Micras pass their MOT?
74.8% of the 120,386 2006 Nissan Micra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Nissan Micra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.3% of tests, followed by suspension (12.7%).
Does the 2006 Micra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.8% in the 0-30k band to 33.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 120,386 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.