2009 Nissan Micra 1.2L Petrol · LL59 LTF

The vehicle's most recent MOT test on 6 January 2026 resulted in a pass, though five advisory items were recorded alongside it. These advisories relate to a discoloured offside direction indicator, a slightly distorted offside front road wheel, perishing on both rear tyres, and a worn lower suspension arm pin or bush on the nearside front. Looking at the broader MOT history, the maintenance trend is broadly stable but with several recurring concerns that warrant attention. The vehicle has passed its tests in 2023 and 2022 without advisories, yet the 2025 and 2026 tests show a clustering of suspension and tyre-related advisories, alongside failed tests in early 2025 and early 2026 where rear wheel bearing roughness and a malfunctioning rear seat belt were noted as majors. The seat belt issue and the rear registration plate lamp failure from January 2026 appear to have been rectified for the subsequent pass, but the underlying wear patterns suggest the vehicle is entering a phase of accumulating age-related defects rather than presenting a clean, trouble-free bill of health. With 59,831 recorded miles over approximately 17 years, this Micra has averaged around 3,519 miles annually, which is notably low for its age and indicates either very light use or extended periods of standing. Such low annual mileage can be advantageous in reducing wear on major drivetrain components, but it also presents specific age-related concerns. Long periods of inactivity can lead to corrosion on brake discs, binding or seized brake calipers, deterioration of brake fluid through moisture absorption, and 12V battery degradation. The fact that advisories have only begun appearing in the last two MOT cycles, after a stretch of clean passes, supports the view that calendar-based wear rather than distance-based wear is now the dominant factor on this vehicle. Prospective buyers should pay particular attention to the recurring advisories. The nearside front lower suspension arm bush wear has now appeared in both 2025 and 2026, indicating progressive deterioration of the rear bush. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over bumps and during low-speed manoeuvres, and check for uneven tyre wear across the front axle which would confirm excess movement in the worn bush. The offside rear wheel bearing roughness recorded as a major failure in December 2022 and again as a major in January 2026 is particularly significant, as it suggests either a recurring fault or replacement with a component that has itself worn prematurely. On inspection, rotate the offside rear wheel by hand to feel for roughness or grinding, and listen for a humming or droning noise that increases with road speed. The offside front road wheel distortion advisory is also worth investigating visually for any cracks, buckling, or signs of impact damage, and a warped wheel can cause vibration through the steering wheel at speed. The direction indicator discolouration is typically caused by UV degradation of the lens plastic, which is a common age-related issue on vehicles of this vintage. Given the low mileage and the vehicle's age, several physical inspections are strongly recommended beyond the MOT history alone. Examine all four tyres closely for sidewall cracking and perishing, paying particular attention to the rear pair which have now been flagged twice; aged tyres with low mileage use can develop dangerous sidewall deterioration that compromises structural integrity even when tread depth remains adequate. Inspect the brake discs for severe surface corrosion, particularly on the rear axle where standing time causes pitting and potentially binding caliper pistons, and verify that the handbrake holds the vehicle firmly on an incline. Check the production date code on any replacement tyres, as fitting new tyres to an ageing vehicle does not resolve the underlying perishing if other tyres remain old. Under the bonnet, inspect coolant and brake fluid for discoloration or particulate contamination, as these fluids degrade with time irrespective of mileage and should be replaced on a calendar basis typically every two to four years. Test all electrical functions including the registration plate lamps, direction indicators, and verify the seat belt retractors operate smoothly across all positions, as the trapped webbing issue from January 2026 could recur if the rear seat catch mechanism is worn. Finally, confirm a complete service history with evidence of timing belt and auxiliary belt replacement, as these are time-scheduled items on a vehicle of this age regardless of the low odometer reading.