2007 Nissan Micra 1.2L Petrol · FY07 ABU

The vehicle was presented for its most recent MOT on 8 November 2025 and was issued a PASS certificate, although two advisory notices were recorded relating to both nearside and offside front tyres being worn close to the legal limit and worn on their edges, alongside two minor defects noting that the headlamp cleaning devices on both sides are inoperative. Looking at the broader history, the pattern shows a deterioration from a clean pass in November 2023 to a recorded failure in December 2022 which was subsequently remediated, followed by an MOT in 2024 that flagged several advisories including headlamp lens product contamination, a slightly discoloured side repeater, and a defective rear lower gearbox mounting. The presence of these advisories, coupled with the tyre wear recorded at the most recent test, suggests that maintenance attention is being applied but some wear items are progressing and warrant careful inspection. With an indicated 109,753 miles recorded over approximately nineteen years of service, this equates to an average annual mileage of around 5,776 miles, which is notably low for a vehicle of this age. This relatively modest usage rate can indicate lighter mechanical wear on major drivetrain components such as the engine, clutch, and gearbox, but it also raises the likelihood of issues associated with extended periods of standing. Long intervals between drives can lead to brake caliper seizure due to corrosion on the sliding pins and piston seals, surface corrosion on the brake discs which can produce judder on the first applications, and degradation of the braking fluid through moisture absorption regardless of mileage. The gearbox mounting advisory flagged in 2024 is also worth investigating, as perished or collapsed engine and gearbox mountings are common on ageing Micras and can transmit excessive vibration through the cabin and drivetrain. Given the recurring suspension-related issues from the 2022 failure, particular attention should be paid to the front suspension and steering components on any inspection. The fractured nearside front coil spring and the perished dust covers on the anti-roll bar linkages and track rod end indicate that the original components had reached a stage where rubber and metal fatigue were setting in, and replacement parts fitted in late 2022 will themselves be approaching four years of service. A prospective buyer should listen for clonks or knocks from the front end when driving over speed humps or uneven surfaces, check for uneven tyre wear across the axle which could point to worn suspension bushes or alignment issues following spring failure, and inspect the condition of any replacement components fitted. The advisories on headlamp lens contamination suggest possible oxidisation of the polycarbonate lens, a common age-related issue that reduces light output, while the inoperative headlamp cleaning devices are a minor compliance issue but indicate the washers may also need attention. For a low-mileage nineteen-year-old vehicle, several age-related checks are essential regardless of the MOT outcome. Tyre sidewalls should be carefully examined for perishing and cracking, as rubber compounds degrade with age and exposure to UV light irrespective of tread depth, and the advisory edge wear recorded on the front pair at the last test suggests a wheel alignment check or replacement due to uneven wear patterns. The 12V battery should be load tested, as batteries typically require replacement every four to six years and a failure will leave the vehicle stranded. Brake discs should be inspected for heavy corrosion lipping and the calipers for binding, particularly given the low annual mileage. All fluid services should be verified including brake fluid, coolant, and gearbox oil, as these degrade on a calendar basis, and the service history should be examined to confirm timely attention has been given to the cambelt and water pump replacement intervals appropriate for the K12 Micra engine. The defective gearbox mounting flagged in 2024 should be confirmed as rectified, as failure to address this can lead to increased powertrain movement and potential stress on related components.