Nissan Micra (2001)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 7,680 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,950

£163/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

998cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £1,950/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Petrol998cc25 years old7,680 tests69k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 998cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£20

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£1,950

Per month£163/mo

Per week£38/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Nissan brand average of 81%.

69% of MOT tests on Nissan Micras from 2001 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 23 years old. That's based on 7,680 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 68,798 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2001 models245th of 350(bottom half)

Rank among Nissan models544th of 635(bottom 15%)

vs average of all models-13%(82% avg)

vs 2001 models average-4%(73% avg)

vs Nissan average-12%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

68,798

Average miles

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2001 Nissan Micra had 68,798 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 67%. The 2001 scores 69%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Nissan Micra by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2003 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+2%

Volkswagen Polo

2003 · 1400cc Petrol

£2,353/year

67%

-2%

Toyota Yaris

2003 · 1299cc Petrol

£2,153/year

72%

+3%

Vauxhall Corsa

2003 · 973cc Petrol

£1,950/year

67%

-2%

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About the 2001 Nissan Micra

The 2001 Nissan Micra is a city car. Our records list a 998cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 7,680 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2001, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 68,798 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Nissan Micra owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2001 Nissan Micra Fuel Costs

The modest 998cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2001 Nissan Micra?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,950 (£163/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Nissan Micra Reliability Trend

Newer Nissan Micras pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 10 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2001 Nissan Micra

At 25 years old, the Nissan Micra is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 94%. With 7,680 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2001 Nissan Micra stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Nissan Micra(2001)	69%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,950
Ford Fiesta(2003)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£203
Volkswagen Polo(2003)	67%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,353+£403
Toyota Yaris(2003)	72%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£203
Vauxhall Corsa(2003)	67%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,950same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2001 Nissan Micra

Is the 2001 Nissan Micra reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 69% of MOT tests on 2001 Nissan Micras ended in a pass, from 7,680 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2001 Nissan Micra cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,950 a year (£163 a month): £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2001 Nissan Micra?

69% of 7,680 MOT tests on the 2001 Nissan Micra ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 245th of 350 models first registered in 2001 (bottom half).

Which year Nissan Micra has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Nissan Micra has the highest MOT pass rate at 94% and the 1996 the lowest at 67%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2001 Nissan Micra?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2001 Nissan Micra is 68,798 miles, which is significantly below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.