2017 Nissan Micra 0.9L Petrol · HW17 NFL

The 2017 Nissan Micra currently holds a valid MOT certificate issued on 9 June 2026 at 20,625 miles, but the maintenance trend is clearly worsening. That same day the car failed its first attempt with a pair of excessively worn front lower suspension arm rear bushes, both nearside and offside, before passing on the retest. The tester also noted undertrays attached restricting view of testable items, a recurring obstruction that limits confidence in the structural inspection. A clean pass in June 2025 followed a straightforward wiper blade failure, and June 2024 was entirely defect-free, so the suspension bush deterioration represents a new and notable decline in front-end condition. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a nine-year-old vehicle. Recorded at 17,409 miles in June 2024, 19,134 miles in June 2025, and 20,625 miles in June 2026, the car has covered roughly 1,500 to 1,700 miles per year over the last two years, averaging about 2,292 miles annually across its life. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden jumps in the odometer record, and the annual increments are consistent with genuine light use rather than clocking. Prolonged standing, however, can accelerate rubber deterioration in bushes, tyres, and seals, which may partly explain the sudden suspension arm failures despite the low mileage. A buyer should treat the front suspension as the primary concern. Split rear bushes on both lower arms indicate the suspension geometry has been compromised, potentially causing uneven tyre wear, vague steering, and knocks over bumps. The undertrays that obscured the June 2026 inspection must be removed before any in-person assessment so the subframe, inner wing sills, and suspension mounting points can be properly examined for corrosion or cracking. Brake lines, flexible hoses, and dust covers are also hidden from view and should be checked for perishing, especially given the car's long periods of inactivity. Beyond the suspension, inspect the tyre sidewalls for age-related cracking, as the rubber may have hardened even with minimal tread use. Check the exhaust system for surface corrosion from short-trip condensation, and verify that the brake discs and pads have not developed lipping or surface rust from standing. The wiper failure in 2025 was minor and resolved, but it does suggest basic consumables were not always replaced proactively. Overall, the Micra presents as a low-mileage car with a recent mechanical defect that demands a thorough front-end inspection before purchase.