2007 Nissan Micra — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 Nissan Micra passed 75.2% of its 88,562 recorded MOT tests. Superminis of a similar age fail 27.8% of the time, so this is 3.1pp 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 19.4% of all tests — 5.9 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and registration plate lamp(s) — headlamp aim alone was recorded 7,528 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 31.0% versus 12.6%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 5.3pp more often than petrol ones (30.0% vs 24.7%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 28.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 23.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.4% | 17,222 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.6% | 11,999 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.2% | 5,454 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.1% | 4,517 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.2% | 3,751 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.2% | 2,852 |
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 | 7,528 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 6,055 |
| 3 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 4,997 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 4,374 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 4,201 |
| 6 | Wipers | 4,191 |
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 | 28.8% | 25,494 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.7% | 24,557 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.6% | 16,455 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.5% | 12,832 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.8% | 9,521 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.8% | 8,651 |
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 | 4,550 | 12.6% |
| 30-60k | 23,160 | 19.8% |
| 60-90k | 30,292 | 25.5% |
| 90-120k | 20,104 | 28.8% |
| 120-150k | 7,720 | 31.2% |
| 150k+ | 2,703 | 31.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 87,111 | 24.7% |
| Diesel | 1,451 | 30.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 19,483 | 23.8% |
| 2022 | 18,824 | 24.3% |
| 2023 | 17,914 | 24.6% |
| 2024 | 16,906 | 25.9% |
| 2025 | 15,435 | 25.6% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Micra
On a 2007 Micra, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.6% 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 (6.2% 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 2007 Nissan Micras pass their MOT?
75.2% of the 88,562 2007 Nissan Micra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Nissan Micra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.4% of tests, followed by suspension (13.6%).
Does the 2007 Micra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.6% in the 0-30k band to 31.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 88,562 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.