Nissan Micra SE (2004)
2004 Nissan Micra SE
CarHunch analysed 121 real MOT records for the 2004 Nissan Micra SE. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 2004 Nissan Micra SE is considerably less reliable than the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of just 49.7% against the national benchmark of 80%—meaning half of these cars fail their MOT on the first attempt. The good news is that no dangerous defects have been recorded across the 121 vehicles analysed, so safety-critical failures aren't the issue here.
At an average mileage of 55,080 miles for a 20-year-old car, these Micras are relatively well-preserved, yet they're still accumulating nearly half a failure per vehicle on average, suggesting age-related wear rather than high-mileage abuse. Before buying one, get a full pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, exhaust, and brake components—the typical culprits in this model's failure patterns.
What to check before buying a 2004 Nissan Micra SE
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Nissan Micra SE
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other (58%) | 70 | 84.7% | 0.71 |
| Petrol (42%) | 51 | 1.6% | 0.08 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 Nissan Micra SE vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2004 Nissan Micra SE vehicles fall between 57,718 and 102,572 miles.
2004 Nissan Micra SE — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 12 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 (18% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2024.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Nissan Micra SE?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.
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