2001 Nissan Micra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 33,822 MOT tests analysed for the 2001 Nissan Micra, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and brakes. Its pass rate of 70.0% was in line with the average for superminis of a similar age (70.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 38.3% in the 150k+ group versus 19.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 4,967 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.2% | 4,136 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.7% | 3,972 |
| 4 | Suspension | 11.4% | 3,846 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.3% | 2,144 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.8% | 1,606 |
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 | 5,449 |
| 2 | Joints | 2,912 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 2,157 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 2,115 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1,708 |
| 6 | Wipers | 1,698 |
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 | 29.8% | 10,075 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.0% | 8,794 |
| 3 | Suspension | 25.2% | 8,523 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.5% | 5,925 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.3% | 5,164 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.0% | 3,726 |
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 | 2,359 | 19.0% |
| 30-60k | 12,850 | 27.5% |
| 60-90k | 12,002 | 31.8% |
| 90-120k | 5,012 | 35.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,133 | 35.5% |
| 150k+ | 337 | 38.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,759 | 30.3% |
| 2022 | 7,856 | 30.2% |
| 2023 | 6,538 | 29.8% |
| 2024 | 5,375 | 29.8% |
| 2025 | 4,294 | 29.2% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Micra
Before buying a 2001 Nissan Micra, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 14.7% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (14.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.2% 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+.
- Brakes (11.7% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2001 Nissan Micras pass their MOT?
70.0% of the 33,822 2001 Nissan Micra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Nissan Micra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.7% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (12.2%).
Does the 2001 Micra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.0% in the 0-30k band to 38.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 33,822 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.