MOT fail rates by first-use year
2003 Nissan Micra MOT fail rate and common faults
How Nissan Micra cars first used in 2003 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2025, against all cars of the same age. From 41,649 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.
MOT data updated
At 22 years, tested in 2025
What stands out
- In 2025, at 22 years old, Nissan Micra cars first used in 2003 failed 47.4% of MOTs (7,639 tests), 6.4 points above the 41.0% for all cars that age.
- From 2022 to 2025, as these cars went from 19 to 22 years old, the fail rate moved from 47.8% to 47.4%.
- Nissan Micra cars first used a year earlier, in 2002, failed 45.7% at the same age of 22 years (7,199 tests, in 2024).
- The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the Nissan Micra at 22 years, is component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength, at 8.1 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 3.5).
MOT fail rate by test year
| Test year | Age | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 19 years | 47.8% | 13,238 | 43.2% | +4.6 pts |
| 2023 | 20 years | 47.4% | 11,379 | 42.8% | +4.7 pts |
| 2024 | 21 years | 47.9% | 9,393 | 42.1% | +5.8 pts |
| 2025 | 22 years | 47.4% | 7,639 | 41.0% | +6.4 pts |
Most common faults at 22 years
These figures cover all Nissan Micra MOTs at 22 years: cars first used 2000 to 2003, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=24,289). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.
MOT fail items
| Fail item | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 8.1 | 3.5 |
| Driveshaft CV boot split | 6.8 | 2.9 |
| Side/position light not working Wear | 5.7 | 4.6 |
| Brake light not working Wear | 5.1 | 3.7 |
| Wipers not clearing screen Wear | 4.6 | 3.5 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Wear | 3.5 | 3.2 |
| Service brake imbalance: across an axle | 3.4 | 1.3 |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps Wear | 3.4 | 1.6 |
| Seat belt prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced | 3.3 | 1.3 |
| Dipped headlight not working Wear | 3.0 | 1.6 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=24,289). A test with two items counts once for each.
Advisories
| Advisory | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear | 16.5 | 10.4 |
| Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear | 12.4 | 13.7 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 10.0 | 15.1 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 9.7 | 15.9 |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Wear | 9.2 | 6.8 |
| Coil spring: corroded | 8.7 | 8.0 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 7.8 | 10.1 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive | 6.7 | 3.7 |
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot severely deteriorated | 6.0 | 3.7 |
| Brake pads wearing thin Wear | 5.5 | 5.0 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=24,289). A test with two items counts once for each.
Fuel type at 22 years
These figures cover all Nissan Micra MOTs at 22 years: cars first used 2000 to 2003, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=24,289). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Fuel | Share of tests | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars, same fuel | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 100.0% | 47.0% | 24,208 | 40.6% | 66,774 miles |
Fail rate by mileage at 22 years
These figures cover all Nissan Micra MOTs at 22 years: cars first used 2000 to 2003, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=24,289). At 22 years, Nissan Micra cars at 120,000 to 150,000 miles failed more often (58.2%, n=1,268) than those at under 30,000 miles (27.7%, n=1,454). Bands with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Mileage at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30,000 miles | 27.7% | 1,454 | 22.4% |
| 30,000 to 60,000 miles | 42.9% | 8,115 | 33.3% |
| 60,000 to 90,000 miles | 49.7% | 8,462 | 39.7% |
| 90,000 to 120,000 miles | 53.5% | 4,172 | 43.4% |
| 120,000 to 150,000 miles | 58.2% | 1,268 | 45.0% |
Car tax rules for a 2003 car
- Cars first registered from 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017 are taxed by CO2 emissions band, from band A (the lowest emissions) to band M. The band is set by the CO2 figure on the V5C logbook.
These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check
ULEZ and clean air zones
- Many petrol cars first registered from 2001 to 2005 already meet Euro 4, but not all of them. For a 2003 petrol car the Euro standard of that car decides.
- The clean air zones in Birmingham and Bristol use the same Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel standards. The low emission zones in Scotland use them too, but enforce them with fines, not a daily charge.
The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker
Other years of the Nissan Micra
Other Nissan models first used in 2003
| Model | Age at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Almera (2003) | 22 years in 2025 | 42.0% | 1,464 | 41.0% |
| Nissan X-Trail (2003) | 21 years in 2024 | 47.1% | 1,149 | 42.1% |
More on the Nissan Micra
Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.
These figures describe 2003 Nissan Micra cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.
Source
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources
Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.