2010 Nissan Micra — MOT failures & pass rate
101,204 MOT tests on the 2010 Nissan Micra are in this dataset, and 77.5% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 25.1% of the time, so this is 2.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.9%) and suspension (13.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, registration plate lamp(s) and position lamp — coil spring alone was recorded 6,275 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.2% in the 0-30k band and 31.4% in the 150k+ band, a 19.2-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 4.4pp more often than petrol ones (26.7% vs 22.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 21.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 16,089 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.6% | 13,773 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.7% | 5,741 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.1% | 5,211 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.5% | 3,554 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.1% | 2,125 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 6,275 |
| 2 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 6,198 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 6,051 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 5,483 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 4,612 |
| 6 | Wipers | 4,468 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 25.9% | 26,237 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.8% | 23,035 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.7% | 16,886 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.7% | 9,780 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.3% | 8,359 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.8% | 7,892 |
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 | 10,077 | 12.2% |
| 30-60k | 32,199 | 18.9% |
| 60-90k | 32,849 | 24.6% |
| 90-120k | 17,768 | 27.9% |
| 120-150k | 6,011 | 29.1% |
| 150k+ | 2,280 | 31.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 95,079 | 22.3% |
| Diesel | 6,119 | 26.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 20,908 | 21.4% |
| 2022 | 20,738 | 21.8% |
| 2023 | 20,595 | 22.9% |
| 2024 | 19,844 | 23.0% |
| 2025 | 19,119 | 23.8% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Micra
On a 2010 Micra, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.9% 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 (5.7% 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 2010 Nissan Micras pass their MOT?
77.5% of the 101,204 2010 Nissan Micra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Nissan Micra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests, followed by suspension (13.6%).
Does the 2010 Micra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.2% in the 0-30k band to 31.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 101,204 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.