2020 Nissan Micra 1.0L Petrol · EX70 XMZ

A recurring wear point has emerged at the offside front suspension on this 2020 Nissan Micra, with two successive advisories flagging a worn inner bush on the lower arm without resulting in excessive movement. The most recent MOT on 8 October 2025 recorded an advisory specifically referencing the inner rear bush of the offside front lower suspension arm, while the prior test on 20 September 2024 noted the same offside front arm bush as a general wear item. Outside of this pattern, the roadworthiness record has otherwise been clean, including a fully defect-free pass on 19 September 2023. The one failure in the recorded history occurred on 15 September 2023, just four days earlier, when both front tyres were deemed dangerous due to tread depth below the 1.6mm minimum, and a pass was secured the following week. With that tyre issue resolved, the persistent suspension advisory remains the principal mechanical thread running through the history and warrants close physical inspection prior to purchase. With 48,710 miles recorded against a six-year lifespan, this Micra has averaged roughly 8,100 miles annually, which sits close to the typical usage band for a car of its age and class. There are no significant gaps in the testing record and the mileage progression between tests is consistent rather than erratic, suggesting steady use rather than prolonged periods off the road. At this annual mileage, wear on consumable items such as brake pads, discs, tyres and suspension components is to be expected, and the recorded advisories align with that expected pattern of in-service deterioration rather than indicating any abnormal usage profile. Given the repeated advisory on the offside front lower suspension arm bush, the primary focus on any inspection should be the condition and play in that component. With the engine off and the front wheel jacked, the lower arm should be gripped and rocked firmly to check for any sloppiness in the inner bush, particularly at the rear mounting point identified in 2025. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed humps, uneven road surfaces and when turning into kerbs, and feel for any vagueness or judder through the steering wheel, which can indicate the bush has progressed beyond the advisory stage. The nearside inner joint should also be checked for symmetry, as wear of this nature often transfers to the opposing side once one bush begins to deteriorate. The single tyre-related failure is a useful reminder that the front axle is the area where this vehicle demands the most attention. All four tyres should be inspected for remaining tread depth across the full width of the contact patch, with particular attention paid to uneven shoulder wear, which can point to alignment or suspension geometry issues stemming from the worn bush. The front brake discs and pads should be visually checked for lipping, surface corrosion and remaining friction material, while a firm brake pedal test from speed will reveal any judder, pulling to one side, or sponginess. Beyond the flagged areas, a standard check of fluid levels, exhaust condition, lighting, and underbody corrosion is worthwhile, though the MOT history does not flag any concerns in these areas.