2018 Nissan Micra 0.9L Petrol · NK18 UDH

The Nissan Micra holds a current, valid MOT certificate issued on 10 February 2026 at 89,006 miles, with zero defects recorded. That clean result is significant because it follows a failure just five days earlier on 5 February 2026 at 88,787 miles, where the tester flagged fractured nearside front and rear coil springs, excessively worn front suspension arm pins or bushes on both sides, and a slight play in the offside front anti-roll bar ball joint. The immediate pass on retest indicates those specific items were repaired or replaced, so the most recent mechanical snapshot is stable. The maintenance trend, however, is not uniformly clean. The 2025 test at 72,127 miles also recorded slight play in the offside front anti-roll bar ball joint, the same component noted in the 2026 failure. That recurrence suggests a persistent weak point in the front suspension linkage that has been managed rather than permanently resolved. The mileage accumulation is broadly typical for an eight-year-old vehicle, averaging roughly 11,126 miles per year. The record shows a notable jump between February 2024 at 53,916 miles and February 2025 at 72,127 miles, an increase of 18,211 miles in twelve months. That spike is well above the annual average and points to a period of heavier use, possibly longer commutes or sustained motorway driving. Such usage accelerates wear on consumables and suspension components, which aligns with the increased fault frequency seen in the 2025 and 2026 tests compared to the clean passes in 2023 and 2024. A buyer inspecting this car in person should focus on the front suspension and steering geometry. The repeated anti-roll bar ball joint play and the 2026 coil spring fractures raise questions about the condition of the remaining springs, particularly the offside rear unit, which has not yet been flagged but may have endured similar stress. Check for uneven ride height, corrosion on the spring seats, and any signs of recent replacement such as fresh paint or part numbers on the coil springs. Examine the front suspension arm bushes for cracking or movement, and test the anti-roll bar links by rocking the vehicle. The 2023 test noted front brake pads at 3mm and worn, lipped front discs, so verify whether these have been replaced since then or if the car is still running on aged front brake components. Given the mileage surge in 2024-2025, a thorough check of the exhaust system for corrosion, the condition of the tyres for uneven wear, and the operation of the rear brakes would also be prudent.