Nissan Micra (2008)
2008 Nissan Micra
CarHunch analysed 18,188 real MOT records for the 2008 Nissan Micra. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2008 Nissan Micra's 77.8% pass rate sits slightly below the UK average of 80%, which is a minor concern—but the real red flag is that 38.7% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above acceptable thresholds and a genuine buyer safety concern. Diesel versions are notably weaker, passing just 72.1% of tests versus 78% for petrol, making the petrol variant the safer choice if you're considering either.
At around 51,800 miles median, these ten-year-old cars show reasonable mileage for their age, yet they're averaging 4.16 failures and nearly 20 advisories per test—suggesting wear-related issues are catching up. Before buying, insist on a pre-purchase inspection focusing on suspension, brakes, and steering (common failure categories for this age and mileage), and review the full MOT history to spot any patterns of repeated dangerous defects.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 5.9 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2008 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.
- ⚠️ 38.7% 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.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (97%) | 17,610 | 78% | 4.13 |
| Diesel (3%) | 566 | 72.1% | 5.13 |
| Other (0%) | 11 | 84.8% | 0.91 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 93.8% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2008 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 2008 Nissan Micra vehicles fall between 36,605 and 69,382 miles.
2008 Nissan Micra — Still on the Road
12,839 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 73% of the peak remain.
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 — 2008 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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48.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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43.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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43.1%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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42.5%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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39%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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37.1%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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36.7%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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36.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008. 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.