2019 Nissan Micra — MOT failures & pass rate
38,434 MOT tests on the 2019 Nissan Micra are in this dataset, and 89.8% of them passed. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (10.0% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (4.3%) and tyres (3.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, wipers and headlamp aim — pins and bushes alone was recorded 1,427 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.2% in the 0-30k band and 22.9% in the 120-150k band, a 15.7-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 10.0% fail against 15.0% for diesel, a 5.0-point gap across 38,434 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 26.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 5.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 4.3% | 1,642 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.7% | 1,432 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.2% | 1,230 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.0% | 762 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.6% | 616 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 306 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 1,427 |
| 2 | Wipers | 1,290 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 642 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 564 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 436 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 424 |
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 | 26.3% | 10,120 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.4% | 5,931 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.0% | 3,458 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.2% | 1,999 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.0% | 1,156 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.6% | 600 |
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 | 25,823 | 7.2% |
| 30-60k | 11,153 | 15.8% |
| 60-90k | 1,233 | 20.8% |
| 90-120k | 168 | 22.6% |
| 120-150k | 35 | 22.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 36,813 | 10.0% |
| Diesel | 1,621 | 15.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 455 | 5.7% |
| 2022 | 9,276 | 5.1% |
| 2023 | 9,342 | 8.2% |
| 2024 | 9,391 | 11.7% |
| 2025 | 9,970 | 15.7% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Micra
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 4.3% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (4.3% 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.
- Tyres (3.7% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (3.2% 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 2019 Nissan Micras pass their MOT?
89.8% of the 38,434 2019 Nissan Micra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Nissan Micra?
Suspension, recorded in 4.3% of tests, followed by tyres (3.7%).
Does the 2019 Micra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.2% in the 0-30k band to 22.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 38,434 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.