2000 Nissan Micra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 23,863 MOT tests analysed for the 2000 Nissan Micra, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension. Its pass rate of 69.2% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (70.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.5% in the 150k+ group versus 18.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 3,911 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.3% | 3,164 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.5% | 2,749 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.5% | 2,744 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.6% | 1,566 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.3% | 1,253 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 3,769 |
| 2 | Joints | 2,168 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 1,774 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 1,525 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1,377 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 1,223 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 29.0% | 6,924 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.9% | 6,413 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.9% | 6,187 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.3% | 4,363 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.5% | 3,697 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 2,099 |
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 | 1,451 | 18.4% |
| 30-60k | 8,754 | 28.4% |
| 60-90k | 8,801 | 32.9% |
| 90-120k | 3,597 | 34.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,000 | 37.7% |
| 150k+ | 216 | 31.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,196 | 30.7% |
| 2022 | 5,774 | 31.0% |
| 2023 | 4,605 | 30.9% |
| 2024 | 3,471 | 30.6% |
| 2025 | 2,817 | 30.3% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Micra
Before buying a 2000 Nissan Micra, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 16.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.3% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Suspension (11.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 2000 Nissan Micras pass their MOT?
69.2% of the 23,863 2000 Nissan Micra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Nissan Micra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (13.3%).
Does the 2000 Micra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.4% in the 0-30k band to 31.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 23,863 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.