NISSAN MICRA (2021)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 10,540 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,405
£117/month
MOT Pass Rate
94%
Excellent
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 5-15
1100cc Petrol
Great Choice
94% pass rate, £1405/year to run. 12 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~50 mpg
Flat rate (post-2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
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Reliability Verdict
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the NISSAN brand average of 81%.
At 5 years old, 94% of NISSAN MICRAs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 10,540 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 17,646 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
17,646
Average miles
37,000
Expected for age
The average 2021 NISSAN MICRA has 17,646 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-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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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
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About the 2021 NISSAN MICRA
The 2021 NISSAN MICRA is a city car with a 1100cc petrol engine. 10,540 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.
With an average of 17,646 miles at 5 years old, 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.
2021 NISSAN MICRA Fuel Costs
The modest 1100cc 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 £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 2021 NISSAN MICRA?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,405 (£117/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
NISSAN MICRA Reliability Trend
Newer NISSAN MICRAs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 11 percentage points.
Buying a Used 2021 NISSAN MICRA
At 5 years old, the NISSAN MICRA offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. With 10,540 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2021 NISSAN MICRA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Coil Pack Failure
Medium riskSmaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 2021 NISSAN MICRA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NISSAN MICRA(2021) | 94% | £955 | £195 | Grp 5-15 | £1405 |
| FORD FIESTA(2019) | 91% | £955 | £190 | Grp 1-8 | £1400-£5 |
| VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019) | 92% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582+£177 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2019) | 88% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 8-20 | £1732+£327 |
| NISSAN QASHQAI(2020) | 93% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582+£177 |
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.
Related Nissan Models
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