2012 Nissan Micra 1.2L Petrol · VE62 AEF

The Nissan Micra presents as a fundamentally sound, low-mileage vehicle with a clean bill of health at its most recent MOT on 24 February 2026 at 82,901 miles. The maintenance trend is largely stable, characterised by minor, easily rectified advisories rather than escalating mechanical failures. The tester flagged front brake pads wearing thin and a perishing offside front tyre inner wall on the most recent test. Both are routine consumable items. Crucially, there are no recorded failures, no corrosion-related structural advisories, and no recurring suspension defects, indicating a well-cared-for car that has avoided the chronic rust and bush wear common in older city cars. The mileage accumulation tells a clear story of very light use. Covering just 3,236 miles between the February 2025 and February 2026 tests, and averaging only 5,922 miles per year over its fourteen-year life, this Micra has spent most of its existence covering short, low-speed urban journeys. The MOT record is notably sparse between December 2021 and January 2023, a gap of over a year, which may indicate a period of very light use or short-term storage. The steady, low-mileage progression from 61,676 miles in December 2021 to 82,901 miles today suggests consistent but gentle operation, with no sudden spikes that would imply a change in usage pattern or neglected servicing during dormancy. A buyer should focus their in-person inspection on the front brake system and the condition of the nearside front wheel bearing. The February 2026 advisory confirms the front pads are approaching the wear limit, meaning replacement is imminent. The nearside front wheel bearing, flagged for slight play in January 2024 at 73,505 miles, has not reappeared as an advisory in subsequent tests, suggesting it was either repaired or has not deteriorated to a critical level. Still, a road test over a rough surface to check for a low-frequency rumble or grinding from the front axle is wise. The offside front tyre advisory for inner wall cracking points to age-related perishing rather than impact damage, so a thorough check of all four tyres for sidewall condition and date codes is essential. Given the low annual mileage, moisture ingress into brake calipers and seized handbrake linkages on the rear are common issues in cars that rarely stretch their legs, so a rolling road test confirming even brake binding on all four wheels is strongly recommended.