2010 Nissan Micra 1.2L Petrol · LS60 OMM

A 2010 Nissan Micra with sixteen years on the road yet only four MOT tests in the DVSA record since 2023 points to extended periods off the road, most likely SORN-registered. The most recent test on 29 June 2026 returned a clean pass with no advisories, a positive signal that the car's condition is currently within roadworthy limits. However, the test before that on 9 August 2025 attracted three tyre advisories all relating to inner and outer edge wear on the front axle and the nearside rear, which is a notable cluster given the relatively short interval between tests. The cluster of chassis and lighting advisories recorded on 24 May 2023, covering engine mountings, front suspension arms, bumper fixings, and a discoloured indicator, has not recurred in any subsequent test, suggesting those items were either rectified or have not deteriorated to advisory level again. Overall the trajectory is stable rather than worsening, but the tyres represent the single most consistent wear issue across the record. With 62,884 miles accumulated over sixteen years, the annual mileage averages around 3,930, which is well below the typical figure for a small hatchback of this era. Such low usage frequently translates to dry-rotted rubber components, seized calipers, and degraded fluid systems rather than the wear one would normally see from high-mileage service items. The long gaps between MOT tests, with the first recorded entry in this sequence not appearing until December 2023, reinforce the impression that this car has spent considerable time stationary, which can be just as wearing on certain components as high annual mileage. Brake discs in particular are prone to corroding and developing a lip when a vehicle is left idle for prolonged periods, and the original 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol unit will have suffered from dried seals and stale oil during any lay-up phases. The 2023 advisory on front suspension arm pin or bush wear on both sides is the component most deserving of physical inspection, as worn bushes in this location typically produce a clonking or knocking noise over speed humps and uneven surfaces, accompanied by vague or wandering steering on the motorway. On a test drive, pay close attention to any knocking from the front end through tight corners and over rough tarmac, and check visually underneath for perished or cracked rubber in the lower arm bushings. The damaged engine mounting advisory from the same test, while classed as not to excess, can allow the engine to rock noticeably on blipping the throttle from idle, so listen for any shudder or vibration through the gearlever when stationary. The corroded front bumper mounting is cosmetic in terms of safety, though it is worth confirming the bumper is still firmly secured rather than relying on the number plate fixings to hold it in place. Given the repeated inner-edge tyre wear pattern flagged in 2025, the wheel alignment should be checked before any new tyres are fitted, as uneven inner-edge wear typically points to excessive negative camber or worn suspension geometry rather than simple ageing of the rubber. During a road test, verify that the steering pulls neither left nor right under steady throttle and that the car returns to centre cleanly after a corner, as any reluctance to self-centre would confirm the geometry issue. With the low-mileage profile, a thorough inspection of the braking system is essential: feel for any judder or pulsing through the pedal under firm pressure and listen for scraping or grinding from the calipers, both classic signs of corrosion seizing on the sliding pins or surface rust on the discs. Finally, check all fluid levels and their condition, particularly the brake fluid which will be original to the vehicle and well beyond its recommended service interval, and inspect for any oil misting or seepage around the cam cover and sump gasket given the engine's age and likely long stationary periods.