2018 Nissan Micra 0.9L Petrol · SC67 HBO

A pattern of advisory items has accumulated across the last four MOT tests on this 2018 Nissan Micra, pointing to a chassis and under-body that is beginning to show progressive wear despite an unbroken run of passes. The most recent test on 19 March 2026 recorded three advisories: an insecure heat shield at the front and both front tyres 195/55/16 noted as worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge. Stepping back through the record, nearside front suspension arm pin or bush wear was flagged in 2024 and again in 2025, front brake discs pitted or scored on both sides appeared in 2024, and edge wear on the nearside front tyre had already been noted back in 2023. None of these items were deemed failures at the time, but the recurrence of similar component groups year on year suggests that consumables and suspension joints are reaching a stage where a closer inspection and likely replacement should be planned rather than deferred. Mileage of 66,622 over roughly eight years equates to around 8,300 miles per annum, which sits comfortably within the typical range for a small hatchback of this age and points to a mix of urban and moderate-length journeys rather than sustained high-speed motorway use. There are no extended gaps between tests that might indicate the vehicle was laid up for long periods, and the steady annual accumulation means components such as the battery, brake fluid, and cooling system should have been exercised regularly enough to avoid the worst of standing-still degradation. That said, the predominantly short-trip usage implied by this mileage band tends to accelerate brake disc corrosion and tyre shoulder wear, both of which are exactly the symptoms now showing in the advisory history. For a prospective buyer, the priority areas on a physical inspection and test drive are the front suspension geometry and the braking system. With the nearside front arm pin or bush flagged twice, listen carefully for clonking or rattling from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and feel for vagueness or a delay in steering response that could indicate the joint has loosened further since the 2025 test. The 2024 advisory covering pitted front brake discs warrants a slow-speed stop from around 30 mph to check for pedal pulsation or vibration through the steering wheel, as well as a cold check for any binding or uneven pull that would suggest a caliper is sticking. The insecure heat shield is usually a straightforward fix but should be confirmed as refitted properly, as a dragging shield can mask exhaust leaks and create an MOT failure next time around. Tyres are the other immediate concern, particularly because both fronts were already at the legal edge in March 2026 and the nearside front has shown edge wear in 2023 and again in 2026, suggesting an alignment or geometry issue that has not been corrected. On the test drive, pay attention to steering wander or a slight pull to one side, and inspect the inner and outer shoulders of all four tyres for uneven wear patterns rather than relying solely on the central tread depth. A four-wheel alignment check and a set of new tyres should be budgeted for, after which a clean bill of health should be readily achievable provided the suspension arm bush is inspected closely and replaced if movement has increased beyond the advisory threshold recorded a year ago.