2002 Nissan Micra 1.0L Petrol · EJ02 BZD

A 24-year-old Nissan Micra presenting only one MOT failure alongside four passes, and that failure having no recorded defect entry, is an unusual roadworthiness profile. The November 2025 test passed without advisories, continuing a pattern seen across the 2022, 2023 and October 2024 passes. The single failure dated 24 October 2024 is particularly noteworthy, as DVSA records show no specific reason was captured for the refusal of the test certificate, which suggests either an administrative issue on the day or a defect that was subsequently rectified before the immediate re-test that same date also passed. Either way, the test outcome trend from 2022 onwards reads as stable, with no recorded advisories or recurring component flags across the five tests available. This is a cleaner public test record than most vehicles of this vintage typically achieve, particularly in categories affecting corrosion and suspension condition. Recorded mileage of 105,293 miles across approximately 24 years equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 4,387 miles, which is notably low for a car of this age. The MOT history confirms testing from 2022 through 2025, with a roughly twelve-month cadence, indicating the vehicle has remained in active use rather than being laid up for extended periods. While lower annual mileage reduces wear on major drivetrain components, it can also bring its own considerations for a vehicle of this generation, including the condition of rubber seals, fuel system components and the general state of brake and hydraulic fluids, simply through age-related degradation rather than mileage. Importantly, the mileage progression between tests is consistent with a steady, modest-use vehicle rather than one that has covered long motorway commutes or been used extensively for short cold-start journeys. For a prospective buyer, the absence of recorded advisories means there are no specific components flagged as approaching the legal test limits, such as brake pads, tyres, suspension components or exhaust sections. Nonetheless, given the age of the vehicle, particular attention should be paid to areas commonly affected on early-2000s Micras. The front coil springs and suspension bushes are known wear points on this chassis, so test-drive listening for any knocking or clonking over uneven road surfaces, and check for any uneven tyre wear that could indicate worn suspension linkages. On the steering side, listen and feel for clonks when turning from lock to lock, which would suggest worn strut top mounts or drop links. The rear brake drum mechanism should be inspected, as the adjuster mechanism on Micras of this era can seize, leading to reduced braking surface contact. Within the engine bay, inspect for any oil misting around the cam cover gasket and look at the underside of the vehicle for evidence of oil leakage from the sump gasket, both of which are common on higher-age Micras even with modest mileage. Listen for any timing chain rattle on cold start, as the chain tensioner can wear over time regardless of mileage. On the test drive, ensure the gearbox selects all gears cleanly without excessive crunching into first or reverse, and verify that the clutch does not slip under load in fourth or fifth gear. Finally, examine the bodywork thoroughly around the wheel arches, sills and rear lower quarters for any corrosion that may have been permitted at the test but could become a future issue, and confirm the spare wheel and tool kit are present, as these are MOT-relevant items even though they have not been flagged in the record provided.