Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1989 Nissan Micra Ls?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1989 Nissan Micra Ls?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1989 Nissan Micra Ls?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1989 Nissan Micra Ls?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Nissan Micra Ls (1989)

19,400 real MOT outcomes analysed

1989 Nissan Micra Ls

CarHunch has 19,400 1989 Nissan Micra Ls vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

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No MOT data available for this vehicle type

The 1989 Nissan Micra Ls doesn't appear in DVLA light-vehicle MOT records — it may be exempt, registered as a different vehicle class, or an import not subject to UK MOT testing. We don't have reliability stats for this specific model, but you can browse other Nissan vehicles below.

Nissan Micra — all years → Best year to buy a Micra → Browse all Nissan models →

No MOT data — worth knowing

Got a specific Nissan Micra Ls you're checking out?

The real detail is in the individual vehicle report — MOT history, AI Hunches, mileage timeline, and defect patterns for that specific reg.

There is no MOT test data available for the 1989 Nissan Micra LS in the DVLA light-vehicle database, so we cannot provide a reliability verdict based on actual test results. The Micra of this era was a hugely popular city car and first-time buyer favourite, known for its simplicity, low running costs, and surprising durability—but any assessment of this specific cohort must rely on general automotive history rather than MOT statistics. If you're considering one, focus on the vehicle's service history, rust history (a common weak point for 1980s Japanese cars), and whether it has been regularly maintained, as these factors will matter far more than any aggregate data we could provide. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is essential for any 35-year-old vehicle, regardless of make or reputation.

MOT statistics not available

We have 19,400 1989 Nissan Micra Ls vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

There are a few reasons this can happen:

Heavy commercial vehicle — trucks, buses and coaches over 3.5 tonnes are tested under the DVSA annual HGV/PSV regime, which uses a separate database not included in our data source
Imported vehicles — vehicles registered abroad and recently brought to the UK may have no UK MOT history yet
MOT-exempt — vehicles manufactured before 1986 qualify under the 40-year rolling exemption; some specialist and agricultural vehicles are also exempt
Never used on public roads — some vehicles are registered but kept off-road and have never required an MOT

Check on the official DVSA service →

Before you buy a 1989 Nissan Micra Ls

Based on MOT data from 19,400 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Colour Breakdown

Based on 75,523 Nissan Micra Ls vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 31.9%

24,088

White 27.8%

20,995

Blue 19.8%

14,924

Silver 13.4%

10,125

Beige 4.9%

3,704

Gold 1.6%

1,184

Grey 0.3%

252

Black 0.2%

145

Green 0%

Maroon 0%

Bronze 0%

Brown 0%

Other model years — Nissan Micra Ls: All Micra Ls years → Which year to buy? →

1988 1990 1991 1992

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