2010 Nissan Micra 1.2L Petrol · AP10 EUF

This 2010 Nissan Micra presents a notably clean MOT record, with four consecutive annual passes between 2022 and 2024 and no advisories or defects recorded on any of those tests. The most recent entry on 18 December 2025 shows an initial failure followed immediately by a pass on the same date, with no defects recorded against either outcome. The absence of advisories across five years of testing is uncommon for a vehicle of this age, particularly given the typical wear items encountered on a supermini of sixteen years, such as corroded brake pipes, deteriorated suspension bushes, perished exhaust rubbers, and worn coil springs. While the cleanliness of the record is reassuring, it is worth noting that a same-day fail-to-pass pattern can occasionally indicate a minor, easily rectified issue (a blown bulb, an emissions reading on the borderline, or an advisory item that was addressed during the retest) rather than a deeper underlying fault. A buyer should request sight of the actual VT30 refusal document to confirm what was tested and subsequently rectified, as the public-facing summary does not always capture the precise reason for refusal. The recorded mileage of 90,237 miles against a 2010 registration equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 5,640 miles, which is considerably below the national average and points to either predominantly short-trip urban use or extended periods of inactivity. There is a conspicuous gap in the MOT history between the 2022 test and the earlier records, with no tests listed for 2019, 2020, or 2021, which is consistent with a vehicle that may have either been declared off the road via a SORN or simply not presented for testing during that interval. A multi-year lay-up or very low annual mileage brings its own mechanical considerations, even when not explicitly flagged in advisories, as standing still accelerates degradation of rubber components, brake calipers can seize, fluid seals may dry out, and the battery will have suffered repeated deep discharge cycles. Equally, the low running mileage implies less wear on major drivetrain components, which is positive for the long-term integrity of the engine, gearbox, and clutch. For a prospective buyer, the lack of recorded advisories means there is no specific component flagged from the MOT history to target, but the age and likely usage profile of the vehicle warrant a focused physical inspection in several areas. On a test drive, listen carefully for clonks or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, as worn strut top mounts, top bearings, and lower control arm bushes are common failure points on Micras of this generation and would not necessarily trigger a failure if still within tolerance at the time of test. Check the steering for any notchiness, vibration, or pulling to one side under braking, and feel for a soft or spongy pedal which could indicate perished brake fluid or corrosion at the pipe unions. The brake caliper slide pins and rear drum mechanisms are particularly susceptible to seizing on low-mileage cars that have seen limited use, so confirm the vehicle rolls freely when released on a flat surface and that the handbrake holds firmly without requiring excessive travel. Given the absence of MOT-recorded advisories over five consecutive tests, the principal areas of concern for a buyer shift towards the items that testing may not fully reveal, including evidence of oil leaks from the cam chain area or valve cover gasket, condition of the exhaust system including the flexi section and rear silencer for corrosion, and the general state of the underbody and wheel arch liners where Nissan Micras of this era are known to suffer from surface corrosion. Inspect the underside from behind the front wheels for any corrosion on the subframe, suspension arms, and brake line runs, paying particular attention to the sections passing over the fuel tank and along the rear axle. Verify that all warning lights extinguish promptly after ignition, that the cooling system has been maintained with fresh coolant, and that the timing chain has not developed the characteristic rattle on cold start which affects higher-mileage examples of the CR12DE engine. Finally, confirm the mileage on the current odometer reading matches the recorded figures and ensure the V5C logbook details correspond to the VIN plate, given the very low annual mileage and the testing gap noted in the history.