2014 Nissan Micra 1.2L Petrol · SC63 XOJ

The Nissan Micra presents a mixed maintenance picture that has stabilised in the most recent test but carries a recurring pattern of brake and tyre defects that a buyer must not overlook. The vehicle passed its latest MOT on 6 November 2025 at 108,356 miles, yet that pass came with four advisories, including corroded rear brake pipes on both sides and worn front brake discs. The trend is neither clearly worsening nor fully resolving. The November 2025 pass followed a failure just three days earlier on 3 November 2025 at 108,355 miles, where the tester flagged binding rear service brakes, rear brake imbalance, exposed tyre ply, and the same corroded rear brake pipe defects. That near-identical mileage across both tests suggests the car was retested rapidly after repairs, but the corroded pipe advisory carried through, indicating the underlying corrosion issue was managed rather than fully rectified. The mileage pattern is broadly consistent with the vehicle's age. At roughly 12 years old with 108,356 recorded miles, the annual average sits at approximately 9,030 miles per year, which is typical for a small urban or suburban car. The progression from 102,309 miles in November 2023 to 105,074 miles in October 2024 and then to 108,355 miles by November 2025 shows steady accumulation of around 3,000 to 3,300 miles per year in the most recent period, slightly above the long-term average but not alarmingly so. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden jumps that would suggest odometer tampering or prolonged periods of disuse. A buyer inspecting this car in person should focus on the rear brake system as the primary concern. The corroded rear brake pipes appeared as advisories in both the November 2025 pass and the November 2025 failure, meaning they were noted but not severe enough to cause a retest failure. Corroded brake lines covered in grease or other material suggest the car may have been undersealed or poorly maintained in that area, and any corrosion on rigid brake pipework can deteriorate rapidly, especially in a 12-year-old vehicle. The binding rear brakes and imbalance flagged in the 2025 failure point toward sticking calipers or uneven pad wear, so a road test should include firm braking from moderate speed to check for pulling or judder. The front brake discs were worn but not excessively in November 2025, which is consumable wear, yet their condition should be verified against the vehicle's service records. Tyre condition has been a recurring advisory across multiple tests, with cracking, perishing, and exposed ply noted on all four corners in 2024 and 2025. This suggests the car may spend extended periods stationary, accelerating sidewall deterioration. The nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint was excessively worn in the October 2024 failure and was replaced before the pass the following day, so suspension bushes and ball joints should be checked for play. The rear fog lamp defect appearing in both 2024 and 2025 failures is minor but indicates intermittent electrical attention. Overall, the mechanical condition is serviceable but not meticulous, and the rear brake pipework warrants close physical inspection before purchase.