Part of the Nissan Micra K12 (2003–2010) guide: best and worst years compared.

Used car guide

2007 Nissan Micra diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Nissan Micra first registered in 2007 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 542 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

542MOTs of 2007 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
45%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)
6,400typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2007 Nissan Micra diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2007 Nissan Micra diesel than on all cars registered in 2007.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.4× usual
    Nissan Micra
    25.1% All 2007 cars
    10.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.6%, against 2.2% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Ball joint2.4× usual
    Nissan Micra
    14.9% All 2007 cars
    6.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.5%, against 3.1% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Track rod ends1.9× usual
    Nissan Micra
    10.7% All 2007 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 2.5% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Individual direction indicators2.3× usual
    Nissan Micra
    7.6% All 2007 cars
    3.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.5% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 4.8% here, against 12.2% of all 2007 cars. Shock absorbers: 3.7% here, against 7.8% of all 2007 cars.

Common 2007 Nissan Micra diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2007 Nissan Micra diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    58% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    49% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    38% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    32% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    13% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    10% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Known faults on the 2007 Nissan Micra diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2007 Nissan Micra diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Has the turbo been replaced?
  2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2007 Nissan Micra diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2007 Nissan Micra diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2007 Nissan Micra diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Nissan Micra?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Nissan Micra compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
20226,199Tyres 23%
202113,302Tyres 27%
202018,533Tyres 29%
201925,373Tyres 31%
201829,523Tyres 32%
201737,587Suspension 36%
201631,741Suspension 33%
201538,432Suspension 35%
201441,713Suspension 42%
201333,976Suspension 46%
201234,053Suspension 45%
201137,306Suspension 44%
201046,214Suspension 36%
200946,013Suspension 38%
200841,890Suspension 40%
200650,932Lights and electrics 45%
200544,260Lights and electrics 51%
200430,756Lights and electrics 51%
200328,063Lights and electrics 48%
200221,405Brakes 40%
200112,388Brakes 39%
20008,322Suspension 40%
19996,564Suspension 40%
19984,022Suspension 42%
19972,038Suspension 41%
19961,528Suspension 40%
1995933Brakes 38%
1994741Brakes 40%
1993475Brakes 38%
1992366Suspension 39%
1991356Brakes 33%
1990313Brakes 39%
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Nissan Micra cars first registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score