2016 Nissan Micra MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 73.4% of Nissan Micras first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. Across 32,111 Micra first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were brakes, lamps and electrical equipment and suspension.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Nissan Micras first used in 2016 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2016 Nissan Micra MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Micras first used in 2016 against all cars first used in 2016 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Micra figure was 1.5 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2016 Micra | All cars first used 2016 | Micra first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 82.3% | 82.7% | 10,779 |
| 2022 | 81.3% | 80.9% | 10,781 |
| 2023 | 78.9% | 78.6% | 10,756 |
| 2024 | 75.5% | 76.7% | 10,699 |
| 2025 | 73.4% | 74.9% | 10,656 |
Common 2016 Nissan Micra MOT failures
Share of the 7,724 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Service brake performance: excessively binding | 17.8% | 1,375 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 15.4% | 1,192 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | 13.1% | 1,010 |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | 8.2% | 633 |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 6.6% | 510 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Micra in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brake performance: excessively binding | Brake caliper repair | £180 | £150–£220 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension arm replacement | £150 | £120–£180 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2016 Nissan Micra before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
Common 2016 Nissan Micra MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2016 Micras, as a share of all 32,111 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 20.3% | 6,532 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 13.5% | 4,349 |
| Coil spring: corroded | 11.4% | 3,647 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 11.1% | 3,574 |
| Service brake performance: binding but not excessively | 5.8% | 1,877 |
Questions about the 2016 Nissan Micra MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2016 Nissan Micra?
In 2025, 73.4% of Micras first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2016 Micra most often fail its MOT on?
Brakes (in 32.7% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (30.6%) and suspension (26.5%). The single most common item was “Service brake performance: excessively binding” (17.8%).
How often does a 2016 Nissan Micra fail its MOT?
In 2025, 26.6% of first tests on Micras first used in 2016 did not pass first time: 20.0% failed, and a further 6.7% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 7,724 of 32,111 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2016 Nissan Micra MOT advisories?
“Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (on 20.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (13.5%), “Coil spring: corroded” (11.4%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (11.1%) and “Service brake performance: binding but not excessively” (5.8%).
Is a 2016 Nissan Micra reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 82.3% in 2021 to 73.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2016
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2016 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2016 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2016 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2016 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2016 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2016 Micra?
The numbers above cover every Micra first used in 2016 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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