2010 Nissan Micra 1.4L Petrol · WN10 EYT

A pattern of recurring advisories and two recent failures related to registration plate lamp defects dominate the DVSA history of this 2010 Nissan Micra, suggesting that while the structural and safety-critical systems have generally held up, electrical and lighting components alongside suspension and tyre wear items have demanded regular attention. The most recent test on 2023-01-16 produced a Pass, but the same date also recorded a failure for an inoperative registration plate lamp, alongside advisories for a nearside rear tyre worn to 1.7mm on the inner edge, sidewall cuts on both front tyres that did not breach the ply, and a worn offside front lower suspension arm rear bush. The previous year followed a similar shape, with a 2022-01-26 Pass issued alongside a Major failure for a rear registration plate lamp defect, and advisories noting front plate deterioration, a non-excessive oil leak, cracking on the nearside rear tyre, and a severely deteriorated nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover. The 2020 test added further advisories relating to a corroded rear exhaust silencer clamp and damaged offside rear tyres with embedded nails, while 2019 flagged a worn offside front suspension arm pin or bush — the same component family that surfaced again in 2023. The 2018 test recorded no advisories, and 2017 noted only a deteriorated front registration plate, indicating that the mechanical picture has become more cluttered over the past three recorded tests rather than stable. With 78,493 miles accumulated across roughly four recorded test entries since 2017, the vehicle has averaged approximately 10,000 miles per year over the testing window, though against its 2010 registration date the overall annual rate falls to around 4,900 miles. There is a notable absence of MOT entries between 2020 and 2022, and again from 2023 onwards, with the 2022 and 2023 tests clustering within the same calendar month of their respective years. The relatively modest recorded mileage on a sixteen-year-old platform limits wear on high-mileage consumables such as the clutch, internal drivetrain components and major brake components, but the recurring advisories for tyre inner-edge wear, suspension bushes and oil seepage are more consistent with age-related polymer degradation than with high-mileage mechanical fatigue. For a prospective buyer, the suspension advisories warrant the closest physical inspection on a test drive. The offside front lower suspension arm rear bush noted in 2019 and again in 2023 should be evaluated by pushing down firmly on each front corner and listening for a secondary thunk or clunk as the body settles, and by driving slowly over uneven surfaces to detect any knocking transmitted through the steering. Steering vagueness, uneven tyre wear across the front pair, or a tendency for the car to tram along road camber would indicate that the bush wear has progressed beyond advisory level. The nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover deterioration recorded in 2022 should also be re-examined for fresh grease loss or splitting, as a compromised cover allows water and grit into the joint, accelerating wear. Any clunking from the front end during tight low-speed manoeuvres, particularly over speed humps, would be a red flag. The tyre-related advisories point to the importance of a close inspection of all four tyres before purchase, including a check of remaining tread depth across the full width, particular attention to inner-edge wear on the rear, and a visual scan of the sidewalls for cuts, cracking or perishing that may have developed since the last test. The persistent registration plate lamp defects across 2022 and 2023 suggest an underlying electrical issue such as a failed bulb holder, corroded connector or wiring fault rather than isolated bulb failures, so both front and rear plate lamps should be verified working under all conditions including with sidelights and headlights selected. The non-excessive oil leak noted in 2022 should be located by inspecting the engine and gearbox seams from underneath for fresh seepage and checking the undertray and sump plug area for residue. Finally, with the exhaust clamp corrosion flagged in 2020, the full exhaust system should be checked for rust, loose mounting rubbers and any blowing joints, particularly around the rear silencer and pipe joins.