2016 Nissan Micra 1.2L Petrol · HN66 AAO

A broadly encouraging mechanical profile emerges for this Micra, anchored by an unbroken sequence of passes stretching back to 2022 and a single failed attempt that did not reappear at the subsequent test. The lone Major defect recorded, an offside front wheel bearing with excessive play at the November 2022 re-test, has not recurred in three subsequent examinations, indicating that the repair held and no related deterioration has been logged. The more recent advisories follow a familiar wear pattern for a light city car of this age: lightly worn front brake discs and thinning pads noted prior to the 2022 pass, followed by a single advisory in November 2025 noting the offside rear service brake binding slightly but not excessively. There is no recorded corrosion, exhaust, suspension component, or structural advisory anywhere in the history, which for a ten year old vehicle is a notable positive. With 34,372 miles accumulated across approximately ten years, the car is running at roughly 3,400 miles annually, a figure consistent with light commuter or urban use rather than long-distance motorway work. MOT testing has been carried out consistently each November with no gaps in annual coverage, so the recorded odometer readings can be regarded as a continuous narrative rather than a series of snapshots separated by lay-up periods. Mechanically, this kind of gentle usage tends to preserve interior trim, electronics, and bodywork while exposing components to a different wear cycle: brake discs and pads suffer more from short, low-speed stops than from sustained driving, and tyres tend to age through standing rather than wear through tread. The absence of any mileage-based defects in the file supports the view that the under-bonnet and drivetrain components have not been heavily stressed, though low annual mileage does mean consumables that deteriorate with time rather than use warrant particular scrutiny on inspection. Given the specific items flagged in the MOT file, the offside rear brake binding advisory from November 2025 is the most immediate area to investigate, as a binding caliper or seized slider can manifest on a test drive as a pulling sensation to one side under gentle braking, a brake that feels hotter than its counterpart after use, or uneven pad wear visible through the wheel. The historical offside front wheel bearing issue warrants a sympathetic listen at low speed with the windows down; any renewed rumble, humming that rises with road speed, or play detected when the wheel is rocked by hand at the front would point toward a repeat concern. The earlier front brake disc and pad advisories suggest the braking system is reaching an age where both discs and pads are due for renewal, so on a test drive listen for any squeal or judder under firm pedal pressure and feel for vibration through the steering wheel that would indicate disc run-out. Beyond the items already recorded, it is worth carrying out a deliberate road test that loads the suspension progressively, driving over speed humps, broken tarmac, and angled kerbs at low speed to expose any clonks, rattles, or knocks from the front struts, top mounts, or anti-roll bar drop links, none of which have yet attracted an advisory but would be the next likely candidates on a chassis of this age. With the handbrake released, the car should roll freely on level ground; any reluctance to move or a faint dragging sound from the offside rear wheel would corroborate the binding advisory. Under the bonnet, check for any signs of oil misting around the cam cover or fresh staining on the exhaust manifold, and confirm that the coolant level is steady, as these items have not been recorded but would be expected checks on a low‑mileage ten year old vehicle. Finally, confirm the current pad and disc thickness on the front axle with a torch through the wheel spokes, as a car that passed with pads noted as wearing thin in 2022 and has since covered only modest mileage may now be approaching, rather than trailing, a renewal point.