2012 Nissan Micra — MOT failures & pass rate
71,887 MOT tests on the 2012 Nissan Micra are in this dataset, and 78.9% of them passed. Against superminis of a similar age (22.6% fail rate), the 2012 Micra comes out 1.5pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.9%) and suspension (10.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, pins and bushes and position lamp — service brake performance alone was recorded 4,223 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 29.3% versus 14.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 19.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.9% | 7,875 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.0% | 7,150 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.0% | 5,049 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.7% | 4,075 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.4% | 3,177 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.1% | 2,253 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 4,223 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 4,165 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 3,974 |
| 4 | Wipers | 3,208 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 2,835 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 2,741 |
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 | 37.0% | 26,565 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.4% | 18,999 |
| 3 | Brakes | 21.0% | 15,065 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.2% | 4,454 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 5.8% | 4,135 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.0% | 2,847 |
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 | 11,408 | 14.3% |
| 30-60k | 31,163 | 19.4% |
| 60-90k | 20,307 | 24.6% |
| 90-120k | 6,994 | 27.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,622 | 28.9% |
| 150k+ | 382 | 29.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 71,829 | 21.1% |
| Diesel | 58 | 29.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,196 | 19.5% |
| 2022 | 14,365 | 20.4% |
| 2023 | 14,471 | 20.8% |
| 2024 | 14,515 | 22.3% |
| 2025 | 14,340 | 22.7% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Micra
On a 2012 Micra, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.0% 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.
- Brakes (7.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2012 Nissan Micras pass their MOT?
78.9% of the 71,887 2012 Nissan Micra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Nissan Micra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.9% of tests, followed by suspension (10.0%).
Does the 2012 Micra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.3% in the 0-30k band to 29.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 71,887 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.