IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2013 Nissan Micra Mk4 (K13)

Nissan heavily revised the fourth-generation Micra from the middle of 2013 with slicker styling, a much-improved interior, more equipment and better value, including the supercharged 1.2-litre DIG-S petrol - the RAC is blunt that this post-2013 car is the one to buy.

What changed for 2013

  • •Revised front and rear styling, new trims and better cabin materials
  • •Supercharged 1.2 DIG-S petrol offered alongside the ordinary 1.2 and the 1.5 dCi
  • •Early build-quality problems from the Chennai plant largely resolved by this point

Common MOT watch-outs

  • !Corrosion of the exhaust, rear arches and the subframe area, worse on cars kept outdoors
  • !Brake performance faults from an out-of-specification master cylinder piston on cars built June 2012 to March 2013, subject of recall R/2013/060
  • !Failed lighting and switchgear, with brake light switch and bulb holder faults common at test
3
Known Issues
0
Serious
3
Moderate
0
Minor

All Known Issues

Front Suspension Wishbone Bushing Wear

ModerateSuspension & Chassis

The front lower control arm (wishbone) bushes are a common MOT failure point, wearing out prematurely on rough UK roads.

Est. Repair Cost: £180–£250 per side
Warning Signs:

Clunking over speed bumps, Vague steering feel, Uneven front tyre wear

What to Inspect:
  • Listen for knocks on the test drive
  • Inspect the bushes for visible cracking or tearing
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Manual Clutch Wear

ModerateGearbox & Transmission

Micras used primarily in the city often suffer from premature clutch wear, leading to a high biting point or slipping.

Est. Repair Cost: £550–£750
Warning Signs:

High biting point, Clutch slip in high gears, Difficulty engaging first or reverse

What to Inspect:
  • Test the clutch bite point
  • Try a hill start to check for slip
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Bulkhead Drain Blockage and Water Ingress

ModerateBodywork & Rust

Leaves and debris can block the drains below the windscreen, causing water to leak into the cabin and damage electrical components.

Est. Repair Cost: £50–£300
Warning Signs:

Damp carpets in footwells, Musty smell in cabin, Heavy window misting

What to Inspect:
  • Check for dampness under the floor mats
  • Inspect the drain area for debris
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Buying Tips for 2013 Nissan Micra Mk4 (K13)

  • Buy the 2013-or-later facelift car, exactly as the RAC recommends, unless a pre-facelift example is exceptionally cheap and clean
  • Check the DVSA recall record, including the 2013 brake master cylinder campaign (8,288 UK cars) and the 2015 push-start switch campaign (10,248 cars)
  • Listen for a cold-start chain rattle on the 1.2 and check for a heavy clutch judder, which is the main wear item
2010–20122014–2017
Check a 2013 Nissan Micra Mk4 (K13) by Registration