Nissan Micra (2017)

12,719 real MOT outcomes analysed • 83.7% first-time pass rate

2017 Nissan Micra

CarHunch analysed 12,719 real MOT records for the 2017 Nissan Micra. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2017 Nissan Micra passes its MOT slightly more often than average, with an 83.7% first-time pass rate against the UK baseline of 80%, though nearly a quarter of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a notable concern for a seven-year-old model. Petrol versions are markedly more reliable than diesels, posting an 84.1% pass rate versus 79.9%, so avoid the less common diesel unless you have specific reasons.

These Micras are running low mileage for their age (median of just 29,330 miles), which typically suggests better mechanical condition, yet they still average 1.36 failures per test, pointing to wear-related issues creeping in. If you're considering one, get a full pre-purchase inspection that specifically covers suspension, braking components, and fluid levels—the high advisory count of 8.2 per vehicle suggests minor deterioration is common even on passing cars.

Average reliability 3.7% above UK average
83.7%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
29,330
typical mileage
20,064–40,221 middle half
23.3%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.36
avg MOT failures per car
over 7.5 tests on record

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 4.2 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

84.1%
Petrol
11,602 vehicles
79.9%
Diesel
1,114 vehicles

What to check before buying a 2017 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.
  • ⚠️ 23.3% 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 (91%) 11,602 84.1% 1.32
Diesel (9%) 1,114 79.9% 1.72
Other (0%) 2 55% 1.5
Other (0%) 1 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 2017 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.

20,064
low mileage
29,330
typical
40,221
high mileage

Half of all 2017 Nissan Micra vehicles fall between 20,064 and 40,221 miles.

2017 Nissan Micra — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 12,151 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 99% of the peak.

12,248 12,151 2020 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2020–2025.

MOT History Averages

7.5
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.36
Avg failures per vehicle
8.2
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2017 Nissan Micra

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 40.8%
    Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement
  • 37.4%
    Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement
  • 37.3%
    Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
  • 37.3%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 36.9%
    Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
  • 31.8%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 20.1%
    Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
  • 16.4%
    Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2017. 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.

UK

Other model years — Nissan Micra:

1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023