2014 Nissan Micra 1.2L Petrol · EK14 VHO

The most recent DVSA examination dated 28 July 2026 resulted in a failure, driven by major defects relating to the front lower suspension arm bushes on both the nearside and offside, with the test record specifically citing excessive wear of the front bushes on each lower arm. Both front lower ball joint dust covers were additionally flagged as severely deteriorated under the minor category, and a single advisory was issued for corrosion on the nearside rear coil spring. Prior to this, the vehicle passed its 2025 test with only an oil leak advisory, but it had failed the previous month in June 2025 due to a rear brake imbalance across axle 2 and an inoperative windscreen washer, alongside advisories for front brake disc wear and the recurring oil leak. Viewed in aggregate, the maintenance trend is best characterised as stable but with a clear downward shift at the most recent test. The car has demonstrated compliance at three of the last seven examinations, and the nature of the failures to date has been relatively inexpensive items such as wipers, tyres, and washer functionality, but the latest failure represents the first time that structural or safety-critical suspension components have been identified as defective, which warrants close scrutiny. With 59,760 miles recorded against a 2014 manufacture date, the vehicle has covered around 4,980 miles annually, which is markedly below the typical mileage for a small hatchback of this age and indicates either light regular use or extended periods of standing. Such a usage profile carries its own mechanical considerations, as prolonged inactivity tends to promote corrosion on ferrous components such as brake discs, caliper slides, and underbody hardware, while drivetrain seals and rubber elements can deteriorate from age rather than from use. The recurring advisory for an oil leak, present at every examination since mid-2024, is consistent with calendar-related seal hardening rather than high-mileage wear, and the coil spring corrosion advisories first noted in 2023 and continuing into 2026 reinforce this pattern of age-related rather than wear-related deterioration. Given the latest MOT failure, the front lower suspension arms and their bushes should be inspected in detail prior to purchase, as the recorded defect indicates the rubber bush has lost its integrity and is likely allowing excess movement. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension when traversing speed bumps, uneven surfaces, or when turning at low speed, and pay attention to any vagueness in steering response or uneven front tyre wear, as worn front bushes frequently manifest as feathered or stepped wear across the inner and outer edges of the front tyres. The deteriorated ball joint dust covers should be regarded as a near-term service item, since once the protective gaiter splits, contamination of the ball joint accelerates wear significantly, and a garage should physically check the ball joints for play during any pre-purchase inspection. The nearside rear coil spring advisory likewise warrants a physical examination for surface corrosion, as progressive corrosion can ultimately lead to spring fracture, which typically produces an audible metallic clunk over bumps and a noticeable drop in ride height on the affected corner. Beyond the MOT-recorded items, the age and low-mileage profile of this Micra demands particular attention to time-served components that do not necessarily generate advisories at test. Tyre sidewalls and tread edges should be examined closely for perishing and cracking, as the 2023 advisories already flagged multiple tyres with edge damage and sidewall perishing, and tyres older than six years from their date of manufacture should be replaced regardless of remaining tread depth. Brake discs and calipers should be checked for corrosion pitting and for seized caliper sliders, which are common after long standing periods and can produce pulling under braking or uneven pad wear. The 12-volt battery should be load-tested, as batteries beyond four to five years of age frequently fail without warning, particularly on low-mileage vehicles where the alternator seldom runs at full output. Finally, all fluid services should be verified against calendar rather than mileage intervals, including engine oil and filter, brake fluid (typically every two years regardless of mileage due to hygroscopic moisture absorption), coolant, and if applicable the manual gearbox oil, with the engine oil leak source identified and rectified to prevent long-term contamination of the underbody and to ensure the recurring advisory does not deteriorate into a more serious defect at the next MOT.