Is the Nissan Micra reliable?

The Nissan Micra has an average MOT pass rate of 76% across 33 years, based on 429,900 tests in 2026. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2021 with a 94% pass rate.

Which year Nissan Micra is best?

The 2021 Nissan Micra has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 67%. There's a 27 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Nissan Micra

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 33 years from 429,900 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

76%

Total Tests

429,900

Best Year

2021 (94%)

Years Covered

About the Nissan Micra

The Nissan Micra has been tested 429,900 times in 2026 MOT data across 33 model years (1990 to 2022), with an average pass rate of 76%. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%, so check the year-by-year data carefully before buying. Available as petrol and diesel.

Best and Worst Years

The 2021 model is the most reliable with a 94% pass rate from 10,540 tests. The 1996 model has the lowest at 67%. With a 27 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer NISSAN MICRAs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 11 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 70,634 miles, while the newest (2022) averages 16,266 miles.

Compared to the Nissan brand average of 81%, the Micra is 5 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Nissan models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 999cc)

£955

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,405

Per month£117/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2022 details

How reliable is the Nissan Micra?

vs national average-6% (82% avg)

vs Nissan brand average-5% (81% avg)

Best to worst year spread27 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Nissan Micra by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2022	93%	468	16,266 mi
2021	94%	10,540	17,646 mi
2020	91%	8,364	22,724 mi
2019	89%	13,764	28,831 mi
2018	84%	16,905	37,762 mi
2017	80%	21,797	41,414 mi
2016	84%	16,327	37,593 mi
2015	83%	20,028	45,113 mi
2014	81%	22,597	50,183 mi
2013	80%	19,076	54,963 mi
2012	78%	19,107	61,174 mi
2011	77%	21,009	66,242 mi
2010	77%	26,270	75,332 mi
2009	76%	26,535	78,114 mi
2008	75%	24,575	82,396 mi
2007	74%	23,186	82,908 mi
2006	74%	30,922	88,685 mi
2005	72%	27,370	87,328 mi
2004	71%	19,303	84,423 mi
2003	70%	17,510	80,670 mi
2002	70%	13,066	68,980 mi
2001	69%	7,680	68,798 mi
2000	68%	4,949	69,584 mi
1999	70%	6,792	71,270 mi
1998	69%	4,351	71,417 mi
1997	70%	2,273	73,070 mi
1996	67%	1,762	71,420 mi
1995	70%	1,055	74,079 mi
1994	73%	806	74,603 mi
1993	71%	455	79,043 mi
1992	79%	323	64,989 mi
1991	72%	383	62,054 mi
1990	70%	352	70,634 mi