Nissan Micra Common Faults & Problems (UK Buyer's Guide)
2010–2023 · Supermini
This is an independent guide to the Nissan Micra, written for used car buyers rather than sellers. The faults below come from owner reports, UK garage patterns and MOT history for this generation — not manufacturer marketing, and we take no commission from any dealer. Use it to spot the expensive problems before you hand over money.
Cheap and easy to drive, but the K13 generation feels built to a price.
Common Faults
Each fault below is drawn from real owner reports and UK garage patterns for this generation — not generic used-car advice.
CVT automatic wear (K13)
seriousThe CVT can whine and slip, and a replacement usually exceeds the value of the car.
Check for: Revs rising without matching acceleration.
Typical cost: £1,800–£3,000
Rear beam and brake pipe corrosion
moderateCorrosion underneath is the main MOT issue as these cars age.
Check for: Two or three years of MOT advisories mentioning corrosion.
Typical cost: £250–£700
Interior rattles and switchgear failures
minorCheap plastics break, particularly window switches and door cards.
Check for: Operate everything on the doors and dashboard.
Typical cost: £40–£150
What to Check Before Buying
Take this list to the viewing. Every point comes straight from the faults above.
- CVT automatic wear (K13): Revs rising without matching acceleration.
- Rear beam and brake pipe corrosion: Two or three years of MOT advisories mentioning corrosion.
- Interior rattles and switchgear failures: Operate everything on the doors and dashboard.
MOT history red flags
If any of these appear on the last two MOTs, negotiate hard or walk away.
- Brake pipe corrosion advisories
- Any structural corrosion wording
Sharp questions to ask the seller
- Is it manual or CVT?
- Has it needed any welding at MOT?
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