2010 Nissan Micra 1.2L Petrol · HD10 FOV

The 2010 Nissan Micra presents a stable and currently sound mechanical picture on paper, with its most recent MOT conducted on 31 March 2026 at 52,335 miles returning a clean pass and zero defects. The maintenance trend is broadly improving. A failed test on the same date recorded only minor headlamp aim issues, which were promptly rectified within hours. Earlier advisories from 2023, covering slightly worn rear axle swivel pin bushes and front brake discs flagged as worn but not excessively, appear to have been managed without recurrence in subsequent tests. No new defects have emerged in the latest two annual inspections, suggesting recent ownership has kept on top of basic upkeep. The mileage profile is notably low for a sixteen-year-old vehicle. Annual accumulation averages roughly 3,271 miles per year, with recorded intervals showing 41,600 miles in April 2024, 47,123 miles in April 2025, and 52,335 miles by March 2026. That represents approximately 5,200 miles covered in the most recent twelve-month period, a modest but consistent increase from earlier years when annual mileage sat closer to 3,700. The record contains no alarming gaps or sudden jumps in odometer readings, and the low overall mileage implies reduced wear on drivetrain and suspension components compared with the average for this age. Despite the clean recent result, a buyer should still inspect the rear axle and suspension bushes in person. The 2023 test flagged nearside and offside rear swivel pin and bush wear, and while this did not reappear as an advisory in 2024 or 2025, rubber bushes on a sixteen-year-old car can degrade with age regardless of mileage. Check for cracking, perishing, or play at the rear axle and trailing arm mounting points. The 2024 advisory for an oil leak, though noted as not excessive, warrants a close visual inspection of the engine and gearbox for fresh weeping around the rocker cover gasket, oil sump, and driveshaft seals. Low-mileage vehicles that stand for extended periods often develop dried seals and slow seeps that a tester may not class as excessive but that can worsen over time. The front brake discs were flagged as worn in 2023, and while the 2025 and 2026 tests recorded no further brake-related defects, verify disc thickness, lip condition, and pad depth during a physical check. Low annual mileage can lead to surface corrosion on discs and pads if the car is used mainly for short trips, which may not show up as a failure but affects braking feel. Tyre condition deserves attention too, as older tyres with adequate tread can still present sidewall cracking and age-related deterioration. A brief road test covering low-speed braking, suspension compliance over rough surfaces, and headlamp alignment will confirm whether the paper record matches the car's current condition.