2017 Nissan Micra 1.2L Petrol · BA66 XGL

A clear pattern of front suspension wear dominates this Micra's MOT record and warrants close attention from any prospective buyer. The offside front lower suspension arm pin or bush was first flagged as worn in March 2024, progressed to a Major failure for excessive wear at the same test, and by June 2025 had deteriorated further into a Dangerous failure on the same nearside component, with the examiner recording that the pin or bush was likely to become detached. That trajectory, moving from advisory to Major to Dangerous across three annual tests, indicates progressive deterioration of the front suspension linkage rather than a one-off wear event, and the offside component which appeared in 2024 must also be considered suspect given the mirrored nature of the failure. The most recent test on 29 June 2026 resulted in a Pass with an advisory for fluctuating rear service brake, but the same date also recorded a Fail for headlamp aim and a rear fog lamp interaction issue, suggesting that lighting alignment and rear lamp electrical faults remain unresolved. No structural corrosion or exhaust concerns have been recorded, but the chronic front suspension theme and intermittent lighting failures together form the principal mechanical story of this nine-year-old car. The recorded mileage of 93,038 miles across nine years equates to an average of roughly 10,300 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a car of this age and is consistent with steady mixed-use driving rather than prolonged periods off the road. There are no unusual gaps in the testing timeline, with annual tests appearing from 2023 through 2026 and mileage accumulating in step with the calendar, which reduces the likelihood of long-term standing and the consequent issues that arise from inactivity. At this annual mileage the wear recorded on suspension components, brake pads and discs is broadly proportionate to usage, and the front brake pads reaching the Dangerous thickness threshold of less than 1.5 mm in 2023, together with pitted and scored front brake discs noted at the same test, are consistent with a car that has covered meaningful mileage rather than sitting idle. For a prospective buyer, the priority during inspection is the front suspension. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocking from the front end over speed humps, rough road surfaces and during full-lock manoeuvres, and feel for vagueness or knocking through the steering wheel when traversing undulating roads, as any of these symptoms would confirm that the worn pin or bush condition noted in 2025 has reappeared or worsened. With the vehicle raised on a ramp or with the front wheels unloaded, attempt to rock each front lower arm vertically and horizontally to detect play in the bushes, paying particular attention to the nearside unit which was the Dangerous failure point and the offside which was the Major failure point. Uneven tyre wear across the front pair, particularly inner-edge feathering, would further suggest that worn suspension bushes are permitting geometry to drift. The braking system also demands careful appraisal given the 2023 Dangerous pad finding and the 2026 advisory for fluctuating rear service brake performance. On the road, check for any pulling to one side under firm braking, a spongy or low pedal, vibration or judder through the pedal which would indicate the previously scored front discs have worn further or become distorted, and any grinding or squealing from the rear which would suggest the fluctuating brake noted in June 2026 has developed into a binding caliper or worn shoe. Inspect the rear brake mechanism directly for handbrake travel and check that the rear service brake applies evenly on both sides, as fluctuating readings can indicate a sticking caliper or a partially seized wheel cylinder. The lighting defects recorded across 2024 and 2026, covering headlamp operation, headlamp aim and the rear registration plate lamp, should also be verified by switching through all lamps with the ignition on and confirming that the headlamp projector pattern sits level and below the horizontal reference line on a flat surface. Finally, walk around the vehicle and inspect the front suspension arms for any fresh underseal or recent repair that might be masking the very components the MOT history has repeatedly flagged as the car's principal mechanical weakness.