2016 Nissan Micra 1.2L Petrol · MM16 XTO

A pattern of rear brake and tyre issues casts the dominant mechanical shadow over this 2016 Nissan Micra. The October 2025 test produced a Dangerous failure for an offside rear tire with exposed ply or cords, paired with a Major defect for an offside rear service brake excessively binding, meaning the caliper or mechanism was holding the drum or disc against its partner with excessive friction. A nearside rear tire was flagged as advisory at the same visit, worn on its inner edge, which typically points to either an alignment irregularity or uneven hub loading. The service brakes were also called out as only just meeting requirement, suggesting the system as a whole is running close to its maintenance threshold. The 2025 pass immediately following the same-day failure does not remove these flags from the record; it simply records that the defects were rectified before the certificate was issued. Prior to this, the 2024 test carried an advisory for a pitted nearside front inner brake disc, and the 2020 test noted front brake disc wear plus an oil leak and staining around the air conditioning condenser. The broader pattern shows a vehicle that has passed every annual test, but with a steadily accumulating list of brake and tyre advisories culminating in a serious rear brake defect. Recorded mileage of 43,356 against an age of roughly ten years equates to an average of about 4,300 miles annually, which is notably low for a vehicle in regular commuter use. The MOT record shows testing continuity from 2019 through 2025 with no prolonged gaps, suggesting the car was kept on the road rather than laid up for extended periods, but the low annual figure indicates that journeys have generally been short. Mechanically this usage profile tends to mean that components such as brake discs, calliper slides, and wheel bearings suffer more from corrosion and standing moisture than from outright wear, since short trips do not allow brakes to fully heat cycle and dry. Low mileage can also leave rubber components ageing rather than wearing, and it is consistent with the brake binding and pitted discs that have appeared, as calliper slides and pistons corrode over time when not regularly exercised through long braking applications. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority on inspection is the rear braking system that triggered the Dangerous and Major defects. On a test drive, listen for any dragging or pulling sensation from the rear of the car when releasing the accelerator, and feel for the rear becoming noticeably hot shortly after setting off, which would suggest the binding has returned or was not fully rectified. With the car jacked and the rear wheel removed, confirm the offside caliper or shoe mechanism returns freely and that the handbrake cable does not hold tension on the assembly. The nearside rear tire wear on its inner edge should prompt a careful check of rear wheel alignment and suspension geometry; ask whether the tire has been replaced since October 2025 and inspect the new tire for matching wear patterns, which would indicate an underlying issue rather than a one-off. The front brake disc advisories from 2020 and 2024, combined with the pitting noted, warrant a close look at the nearside front disc on inspection. Run a fingernail across the disc surface to feel for ridges at the outer and inner edges, and during braking at low speed listen for any roughness or vibration through the pedal, which would suggest the disc has thinned unevenly. The 2020 oil leak advisory, described as not excessive but accompanied by staining around the air conditioning condenser, should be revisited by inspecting the underside for fresh seepage around the engine and gearbox join, particularly the sump, cam cover, and front crankshaft seal, given five years have elapsed since the original observation. Finally, although the child seat advisory from 2020 is purely an inspection limitation, the persistent nature of brake-related advisories across multiple years, even on a low mileage car, points to a vehicle whose braking and tire condition will demand ongoing attention rather than be considered settled.