2003 Nissan Micra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 75,894 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Nissan Micra, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility. Its pass rate of 71.6% was in line with the average for superminis of a similar age (70.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 34.3% in the 150k+ group versus 17.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.8% | 17,286 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.0% | 10,638 |
| 3 | Visibility | 7.2% | 5,450 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.7% | 4,291 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.2% | 3,930 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.2% | 3,925 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 9,869 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 7,702 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 4,415 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 4,277 |
| 5 | Wipers | 3,842 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 3,595 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 30.1% | 22,811 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.0% | 22,020 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.2% | 16,862 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.3% | 15,379 |
| 5 | Other defects | 12.8% | 9,687 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 12.6% | 9,595 |
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 | 3,163 | 17.1% |
| 30-60k | 19,720 | 24.3% |
| 60-90k | 27,903 | 29.3% |
| 90-120k | 17,314 | 31.4% |
| 120-150k | 5,961 | 33.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,641 | 34.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 74,966 | 28.4% |
| Diesel | 928 | 29.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 21,057 | 28.5% |
| 2022 | 17,529 | 28.1% |
| 2023 | 14,984 | 28.3% |
| 2024 | 12,329 | 28.9% |
| 2025 | 9,995 | 28.1% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Micra
Before buying a 2003 Nissan Micra, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 22.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (22.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.0% 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.
- Visibility (7.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2003 Nissan Micras pass their MOT?
71.6% of the 75,894 2003 Nissan Micra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Nissan Micra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.8% of tests, followed by suspension (14.0%).
Does the 2003 Micra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.1% in the 0-30k band to 34.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 75,894 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.