2021 Nissan Micra — MOT failures & pass rate
14,268 MOT tests on the 2021 Nissan Micra are in this dataset, and 93.3% of them passed. That is 1.1 percentage points better than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 7.8%. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (2.7%) and visibility (2.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and pins and bushes — wipers alone was recorded 304 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.6% in the 0-30k band and 18.3% in the 60-90k band, a 12.7-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 5.0% of tests failed in 2023 against 7.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.7% | 391 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.3% | 323 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.2% | 308 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.7% | 236 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.2% | 172 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 62 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 304 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 283 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 229 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 143 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 124 |
| 6 | Washers | 80 |
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 | 25.3% | 3,608 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.2% | 1,745 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.5% | 930 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.4% | 622 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 2.7% | 386 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.7% | 383 |
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 | 11,729 | 5.6% |
| 30-60k | 2,351 | 11.0% |
| 60-90k | 142 | 18.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 239 | 5.0% |
| 2024 | 6,944 | 5.8% |
| 2025 | 7,056 | 7.7% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Micra
On a 2021 Micra, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 2.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (2.7% 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 (2.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2021 Nissan Micras pass their MOT?
93.3% of the 14,268 2021 Nissan Micra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Nissan Micra?
Tyres, recorded in 2.7% of tests, followed by visibility (2.3%).
Does the 2021 Micra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.6% in the 0-30k band to 18.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,268 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.