2010 Nissan Micra 1.2L Petrol · OV10 OCW

A clean and uninterrupted MOT history defines this 2010 Nissan Micra, with five consecutive passes recorded between April 2022 and April 2025 and no advisories or defects noted on any of those examinations. The most recent test on 9 April 2026 returned a fail, but the failure entry itself contains no defect details, which is unusual and warrants direct clarification with the testing station or a re-test certificate to confirm what was identified. Assuming the failure was limited to a single minor or easily rectified item, the underlying track record suggests a vehicle that has maintained roadworthy condition consistently over a long period. That said, the absence of any advisory records across four prior passes is itself worth scrutiny, as older Micras of this generation frequently generate advisories for corrosion, bush wear, or exhaust deterioration even when they pass outright. With 82,780 miles recorded over sixteen years, this Micra has averaged around 5,174 miles annually, which sits firmly in low-mileage territory for a car of this age. The MOT entries show annual tests with no apparent gaps in road use, indicating the vehicle has been kept on the road continuously rather than laid up for extended periods, which reduces the risk of seized components, perished seals, and flat-spotted tyres associated with long static storage. Lower annual mileage of this nature typically translates to reduced wear on the clutch, brakes, and engine internals, but it can also mask issues such as stale fuel, dried suspension bushes, or ageing rubber components that deteriorate with time rather than use. The consistency of testing dates, all falling in early April across consecutive years, further supports a pattern of regular light use rather than sporadic or seasonal driving. For a prospective buyer, the priority is to obtain written confirmation of the nature and location of the April 2026 failure, as the absence of recorded defects on the system means the issue cannot be assessed from history alone. Given the car's age and the common failure points for Micras of this era, a close inspection of the rear exhaust mount and back box is worthwhile, as these components regularly fail on high-mileage or older examples. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed bumps and uneven surfaces, as worn lower wishbone bushes and anti-roll bar drop links are typical concerns for cars approaching and exceeding a decade of service. Steering should feel precise without excess play, and the clutch should engage smoothly without slipping under load or juddering on take-off. Brake feel deserves particular attention during any road test, as the front discs and pads on a low-mileage urban car of this age can suffer from surface corrosion even when mechanical wear remains low, potentially causing pedal judder under heavy braking. Inspect the inner and outer faces of the front discs for lipping or scoring, and check that the caliper slide pins move freely, as binding calipers are a known issue on vehicles that see predominantly low-speed town driving. Under the bonnet, examine the cam cover, oil filter housing, and around the spark plug wells for signs of oil seepage, which becomes more common on the later-life K12 Micra petrol engines. Finally, verify the service history to confirm recent replacement of the timing chain, coolant, and brake fluid, as these items are time-sensitive rather than mileage-sensitive and are particularly important on a vehicle that has accrued its miles gradually over many years.