2005 · 19 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2005 Nissan Micra MOT pass rate and common faults

14,093 MOT tests in 2024. 51.3% passed first time, compared with 56.5% for all cars the same age.

91Well below average
Passed first time51.3%
Failed or needed repairs48.7%
Typical mileage at test83,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 14,093 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect8.9%
  2. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps7.0%
  3. Position lamp: not working5.6%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.7%
  5. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.5%
  6. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.7%
  7. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.6%
    740 marked dangerous
  8. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.6%
  9. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.5%
  10. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.4%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics57.9%
  2. Suspension26.6%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.9%
  4. Brakes8.4%
  5. Tyres7.6%
  6. Emissions & leaks6.8%
  7. Body & chassis6.6%
  8. Steering4.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine18.3%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.7%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn15.7%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.2%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.6%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2005 Nissan Micra?

In 2024, 51.3% of 2005 Nissan Micra cars passed their MOT first time, across 14,093 tests. The average for all 19-year-old cars was 56.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2005 Nissan Micra?

The most common failure reasons were headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2005 Nissan Micra reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 91, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).