2010 Nissan Micra 1.5L Diesel · WL10 CSY

A single MOT failure dated 2024-02-02 stands out against an otherwise clean roadworthiness record for this 2010 Nissan Micra, with the car passing without recorded defects at its three most recent tests in January 2023, February 2025, and February 2026. That failed examination was driven by two Major defects and a single Dangerous failure, alongside the advisories that will be relevant to any prospective buyer. The front wheel bearing roughness, ABS warning lamp illumination, and nearside front tyre bulge were all addressed ahead of the retest on 2024-02-07, where the car passed with only the rear exhaust clamp advisory carried forward. The fact that the vehicle has returned two clean passes since the failure suggests the rectification work was effective, though the underlying wear pattern on consumable components is worth examining in person. With 81,757 miles recorded over sixteen years, annual mileage works out at roughly 5,110 miles per year, which is well below average for a car of this age and considerably lower than what is typical for a small hatchback used as a daily commuter. The MOT testing timeline shows a regular yearly cadence from 2023 through 2026 with no extended absences from testing, indicating the vehicle has remained on the road throughout this period rather than being laid up. Lower mileage of this nature generally preserves the engine internals, gearbox, and clutch, but it does mean that rubber components, brake calipers, and suspension linkages may have aged through time rather than through use, and seized or rough-running hardware can still present even when wear miles are modest. The single failure in 2024 warrants close inspection of the systems involved. The nearside front wheel bearing has been replaced, but the buyer should still rotate both front wheels by hand at a cold start and listen for any rumble that develops as the vehicle rolls, as a replacement bearing on a low-mileage car of this age can sometimes mask a related issue with the hub assembly or upright. The ABS warning lamp that illuminated in 2024 requires confirmation that the fault has not returned; on a test drive, the lamp should extinguish promptly on ignition and remain off, and the buyer should ask whether any ABS wheel speed sensor or reluctor ring was replaced at the time. The front brake discs that were noted as worn and pitted in February 2024 should now be physically inspected for lip thickness and surface condition, as scored discs of that vintage will have thinned considerably if the car has covered further mileage since, and any brake judder under moderate pedal pressure would suggest a need for replacement. The chronic rear exhaust clamp corrosion advisory, recorded in February 2024 and carried forward to the pass that same month, is a small but telling detail on a sixteen year old vehicle. Exhaust mounting hardware corrodes through exposure rather than mileage, and the buyer should physically push and lift the exhaust tailpipe section while the car is on a ramp or over a pit, looking for movement at the joint and listening for any ticking or metallic contact from a loose mount. The exhaust pipe itself should be checked for perforations, particularly around the clamp area and any flexible joint, as localised rust frequently spreads from a corroded clamp. Beyond these flagged items, the overall condition of the rear brake shoes, handbrake mechanism, and underbody corrosion should be assessed, as Micras of this generation are known for surface rust developing on rear wheel arches, suspension arms, and the rear axle beam, none of which have yet been recorded as advisories but are worth a thorough visual check given the car's age.