2010 Nissan Micra 1.5L Diesel · NA60 ANF

A clear pattern emerges from the recorded MOT history of this 2010 Nissan Micra: the suspension and wheel bearing components have shown a one-off but significant failure event, while braking, tyre, and ancillary advisories have appeared intermittently across the seven-year testing window. The most recent test on 2022-10-21 returned a clean pass with no advisories, which by itself is a positive indicator for the immediate period leading up to that examination. However, the November 2017 test is a serious point of reference: the vehicle failed on broken Nearside and Offside front coil springs alongside a rough Offside rear wheel bearing. The fact that two front springs fractured simultaneously on a vehicle of this age and mileage is not uncommon for the K12 Micra platform, but it does indicate that the front suspension has already absorbed enough fatigue to require complete spring replacement. No further suspension defects appear in the subsequent four test records, so there is no evidence within the DVSA data of a recurring structural weakness, but the buyer should treat the front end as a known wear zone rather than a confirmed resolved issue. The recorded mileage of 83,991 miles against a 2010 build date represents an annual accumulation of approximately 5,249 miles, which is substantially below the typical usage rate for a small hatchback of this age. The recorded tests run consistently from 2016 through 2022 with annual intervals, showing no multi-year testing gap that might suggest the vehicle was laid up off the road for extended periods. The continuous testing history is useful, as long stationary periods can promote issues such as brake disc corrosion, dry-rotted rubber components, and deteriorated undertray fixings. The 2016 record notes that undertrays were fitted obscuring certain components from visual inspection, which is worth flagging because it limits what can be deduced about corrosion and underbody condition from MOT records alone. The mileage progression itself does not show any unusual jumps or anomalies that would indicate clocked readings. Specific guidance for a prospective buyer should focus on the components flagged in the 2016 and 2017 records. The 2016 advisories for thin Offside front brake pads and a pitted, scored Offside front brake disc point to uneven front brake wear, which on a Micra typically suggests a binding or partially seized Offside caliper or a sticking slider mechanism. On a test drive, the buyer should listen for any scraping or grinding from the front nearside or offside corners, feel for any pulling to one side under firm braking, and check that the brake pedal returns smoothly without sponginess. Because the disc was already noted as pitted, the current condition should be inspected for lipping around the outer edge and for any heat-scoring visible through the wheel spokes. The 2017 coil spring failures on both front corners mean the replacement springs fitted at that time are now around nine years old, and coil spring fatigue tends to recur on the K12 Micra; on a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, and check for the vehicle sitting noticeably lower on one front corner when parked on level ground. The wheel bearing failure recorded on the Offside rear in 2017 should also be treated as a historical indicator, since rear wheel bearings on this model can fail intermittently and progressively worsen. A useful check during a road test is to listen for a humming or droning noise that rises and falls with road speed, particularly noting whether it is more pronounced during left or right-hand turns, which can help isolate the affected side. The tyre advisories in 2018 and 2019 for edge wear on the Nearside and Offside front tyres, and the Offside rear, suggest the front alignment may be out of specification or the suspension geometry is unevenly worn. When inspecting the car, examine the current tyres for uneven shoulder wear, particularly on the inner or outer edges, and check the spare wheel condition. The front wiper wear advisory from 2016 is minor, but a functional check of both wiper speeds and the washer jet alignment should still be carried out. Given the undertrays were fitted in 2016, it would be prudent to request that the vehicle be raised on a ramp during inspection so that the subframe, brake pipes, and exhaust hangers can be examined directly, as corrosion in these areas would not have been visible during the MOT itself.