Nissan Micra (2005)
2005 Nissan Micra
CarHunch analysed 36,771 real MOT records for the 2005 Nissan Micra. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2005 Nissan Micra has a first-time MOT pass rate of 72.9%, which sits noticeably below the UK average of 80%, signalling below-average reliability for its age. More concerning is that 37.7% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is substantially higher than typical and should weigh heavily on any buyer's decision.
These Micras are running relatively light mileage for their age—a median of 56,715 miles—yet they're accumulating an average of 5.4 failures per vehicle, suggesting wear and deterioration are outpacing mileage. With nearly 25 advisory items flagged per car on average, expect ongoing maintenance costs; have a pre-purchase inspection prioritise the brakes, suspension, and emissions system, where most defects cluster.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.8 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2005 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.
- ⚠️ 37.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (97%) | 35,720 | 73% | 5.41 |
| Diesel (3%) | 1,028 | 70.2% | 5.28 |
| Other (0%) | 18 | 86.3% | 1.11 |
| LPG (0%) | 5 | 73.2% | 3.6 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2005 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 2005 Nissan Micra vehicles fall between 42,765 and 72,204 miles.
2005 Nissan Micra — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 12,250 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (36% 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 — 2005 Nissan Micra
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
73.8%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
69.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
58.7%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
58.1%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
52.5%
Oil leak, but not excessive
-
45.3%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
36.5%
Registration plate lamp not working
-
32.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Nissan Micra?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.