Nissan Micra (1990)
1990 Nissan Micra
CarHunch analysed 14,473 real MOT records for the 1990 Nissan Micra. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1990 Nissan Micra passes its MOT first time just 62.4% of the time—significantly below the UK average of 80%—which means you're more likely than not to face a retest. The good news is that dangerous defects are relatively uncommon at 10%, so serious safety issues aren't the norm with these cars.
These Micras are running at modest mileage for their age (median 76,741 miles), yet they're still racking up 1.73 failures and 3.6 advisories per vehicle on average, suggesting age and wear rather than abuse is catching them out. Before buying, budget for a pre-purchase inspection by a Nissan-savvy mechanic, as the first-time pass rate tells you that keeping one roadworthy takes active maintenance.
What to check before buying a 1990 Nissan Micra
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
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 14,462 | 62.4% | 1.73 |
| Diesel (0%) | 9 | 51.4% | 0.89 |
| Electric (0%) | 2 | 68.8% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1990 Nissan Micra 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 1990 Nissan Micra vehicles fall between 57,981 and 95,730 miles.
1990 Nissan Micra — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 83 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (11% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1990 Nissan Micra
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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34.5%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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29.7%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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20.4%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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20.3%
Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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18.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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17.3%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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15.6%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
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14.6%
Oil leak
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1990. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Nissan Micra?
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