2008 Nissan Micra 1.2L Petrol · LM57 PCF

The most recent MOT test dated 15 September 2025 produced a pass, but only after the vehicle had failed earlier that same day on a major defect for a fractured offside front coil spring. This is a significant item because a broken front coil spring is not merely an advisory; it presents an immediate safety risk, can cause the vehicle to sit unevenly, may lead to tyre contact with the bodywork, and risks further damage to the suspension strut assembly. The fact that the car then passed the same day suggests the spring was replaced prior to the retest, which is encouraging, but several advisories remain on file which collectively point to a vehicle entering a phase of age-related wear. The front suspension arm pins or bushes on both sides are showing play, the front brake discs are pitted and scored, the rear coil springs are corroded, and both rear tyres were found to be at or close to the legal limit with measurements of just 2mm and 3mm. Comparing this to the four consecutive clean passes between 2020 and 2024 and a single minor wiper defect in 2019, the maintenance trend is clearly one of deterioration rather than stability, and any prospective buyer should treat the most recent test as a warning that several components are now approaching the end of their service life. The recorded mileage of 47,557 miles over approximately 18 years equates to an average of around 2,642 miles per year, which is considerably below the national average and indicates either a low-use second car, mostly urban motoring, or significant periods of standing. While low mileage generally preserves engines, gearboxes and clutches, it brings its own well-documented problems, particularly in a car of this age. Extended standing allows brake discs to corrode, which is consistent with the pitted and scored front discs noted on the advisory. It accelerates the perishing of rubber components such as suspension bushes, gaiters, drive shaft boots, and especially tyres, where the rubber hardens and cracks regardless of tread depth. Brake calipers can seize from lack of use, exhaust systems corrode from internal condensation that never gets burnt off, and the 12V battery is likely to have suffered multiple deep discharge cycles, all of which are typical of an underseen used Micra of this vintage. Given the advisories on file, a prospective buyer should carry out a focused physical inspection and a careful test drive. With the front brake discs already pitted, they should be measured for remaining thickness and checked for lipping, and the caliper slide pins should be freed and greased if seized. The front suspension arm bushes should be inspected for any worsening play, and the repaired front coil spring area checked to confirm the replacement was carried out properly with both sides ideally replaced together to avoid uneven ride height. The rear coil springs showing corrosion warrant a visual inspection from beneath for any sign of cracking or collapse, and a test drive over uneven surfaces should be carried out to listen for any knocking or clunking from the suspension. The tyres, having been at 2mm and 3mm at the last test, will almost certainly now need replacement, and budget should be set aside for a full set along with a four-wheel alignment. Beyond the recorded defects, the low annual mileage and the vehicle's age demand attention to time-served rather than mileage-served components. The 12V battery is likely to be original or several years old and should be load tested, as a weak battery is the single most common cause of breakdown in cars that are used infrequently. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time and should be replaced regardless of mileage, typically every two years, and the coolant system should be checked for corrosion and old fluid. The timing chain on K12 Micras of this era is a known wear item and should be inspected or replaced if there is any rattle on cold start. Rubber components throughout the underside, including the exhaust mounting rubbers, anti-roll bar bushes, and the ageing tyres themselves, will have hardened and perished and should be examined closely. Service history should be verified, with particular attention to recent cambelt or timing chain replacement records, and confirmation that annual oil and filter changes have been carried out despite the low annual mileage, as oil degrades with time just as much as with use.