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Nissan1992–2021 Critical issues documented

Nissan Micra: common faults & what to check

Thinking about buying a used Nissan Micra (1992–2021) in New Zealand? We've documented 22 known faults for this model spanning transmission, engine, interior, and electrical. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Every one is listed below with its symptoms and repair cost, and each has its own page with where to look and what to ask the seller. Free, no account needed.

Check this exact Nissan Micra

  • Odometer history
  • Money owing
  • Reported stolen
  • Ownership history
  • Official NZ vehicle register data
  • NZ owned and operated

Type the plate for the free basics. The full record is a paid check from $13.49, one car at a time, no subscription.

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22

Documented faults

Critical

Most serious

$400–$1,800

Typical repair

7

Systems covered

Which Nissan Micra are you looking at?

6 generation variants documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Start your free check on this Nissan Micra

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

Nissan MicraEngine not picked yet

Pick the engine above first: the Micra came with 4, and without it the report has to show all of their faults. Pick the engine

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Can't confirm for this car

Nissan Micra

Nothing has been narrowed yet, so nothing below is a claim about a particular car. Pick a year and an engine to see which faults apply.

Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.

matched on no vehicle context

What to look out for

The checks worth doing on a Nissan Micra before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

  • Serious issue

    Test drive from cold, on an incline if possible.

    See why

    CVT wear and failure (K13 automatic)

    Automatic K13 Micras/Marches use a small Jatco CVT that suffers worn belts, pulleys and control modules when fluid changes are skipped - the same Jatco-era weakness as bigger Nissans. Symptoms are shudder, whine, slipping and eventually failure, and a replacement unit often exceeds the car's value. Buyer guides for the K13 bluntly recommend the manual over the CVT unless the auto has full fluid-change history.

    What you would notice

    • Shudder or judder from a standstill
    • Whining that rises with road speed
    • Revs flaring without acceleration
    • Hesitation or clunk selecting Drive

    Typically $3,000–$5,500 to put right.

  • Serious issue

    Listen carefully during cold start for metallic chain rattle from the cam cover area.

    See why

    CG10DE/CG13DE Timing Chain Stretch and Guide Wear

    The 1.0-litre CG10DE and 1.3-litre CG13DE engines in K11 Micras use a simplex timing chain with a plastic-ramp tensioner guide. With age and infrequent oil changes, the guide wears through to metal, chain stretch causes timing retard, and eventually the chain jumps a tooth causing valve damage. Particularly prevalent in high-mileage K11 imports from Japan. The repair is straightforward but seldom done proactively, so many K11s arrive in NZ with worn chains.

    What you would notice

    • Rattling on cold start from top of engine, clears after warm-up
    • Rough idle and misfires at cold start
    • Difficulty starting or cranking longer than normal
    • Timing-related check engine codes (P0340, P0335)
    • Hunting idle that improves once engine reaches temperature

    Typically $800–$2,200 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Drive it in the conditions that expose a CVT rather than the ones that flatter it.

    See why

    Xtronic CVT judder and overheating on the K14

    The Xtronic CVT offered in this Micra is shared across the Renault-Nissan range and carries the same reputation. It shows as a shudder or judder under gentle acceleration, most often as the belt moves between ratio ranges or as the converter locks up, and in stop-start traffic it can flag a transmission-temperature warning and reduce power to protect itself. The underlying causes are belt and pulley surface wear and degraded fluid. The important point for a buyer is that Nissan markets the fluid as sealed for life, which many owners take at face value; in practice it wants changing around every 60,000 km, and a car with no record of that is on borrowed time. A fluid service is a few hundred dollars, but a replacement unit is several thousand — on a car of this value that is the difference between a repair and writing it off.

    What you would notice

    • Shudder or judder under light or steady acceleration
    • Engine revs rising without the car speeding up to match
    • Transmission temperature warning or reduced power in slow traffic
    • Hesitation or a jerk when pulling away from a stop
    • Whine or drone that rises and falls with road speed

    Typically $400–$7,000 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Test drive on flat road at light throttle between 20–50 km/h and feel for judder through seat and steering.

    See why

    K12 CVT Judder and Belt Slip (Hyper-CVT)

    The K12 Micra with automatic transmission uses Nissan's Hyper-CVT unit. Fluid degradation causes shudder under acceleration between 15 and 50 km/h. The unit is sensitive to the correct NS1 or NS2 fluid and fails early when serviced with generic ATF. Repairs in NZ are complicated by limited parts availability for this small CVT, often meaning unit replacement. Well-documented in UK Micra forums and confirmed by NZ independent workshops.

    What you would notice

    • Shudder or judder felt through vehicle from 20–50 km/h under light throttle
    • Transmission slow to engage from rest
    • Slipping or hunting under uphill acceleration
    • Whining noise increasing with road speed

    Typically $2,000–$5,500 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Cold-start the car (bonnet should be cold to the touch when you arrive) and listen at the passenger end of the engine for chain rattle.

    See why

    Timing chain stretch on CR10/CR12/CR14 (K12)

    Early K12 Micras (especially 2002-2005 builds) had weak timing chains that stretch even at modest mileage, causing rattle, poor idle, power loss and misfires; badly stretched chains can jump teeth and wreck the engine. Nissan issued an official diagnosis and replacement procedure, and the problem is one of the best-documented K12 faults in owner communities. Regular oil changes slow it down but do not eliminate it on early cars.

    What you would notice

    • Rattle from the front of the engine, worst at cold start
    • Rough idle and hesitation
    • Misfires / check-engine light
    • Whirring that changes with revs

    Typically $1,200–$2,200 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Check oil level frequency — consumption of more than 500ml per 5000km is abnormal.

    See why

    CR12DE Valve Stem Seal Oil Consumption

    CR12DE 1.2 valve stem seals harden and shrink allowing oil to enter the combustion chamber, causing blue smoke on startup and increased oil consumption between services.

    What you would notice

    • Blue smoke from exhaust on startup after overnight park, clearing after 30-60 seconds of running
    • Frequent oil level checks needed as level drops between services

    Typically $600–$1,800 to put right.

See all 22 documented issuesEverything researched for the Nissan Micra, including 3 rated critical.
Depends on which engine this Nissan Micra has — 22Each of these is documented for one particular engine. Pick the year and engine above to see which of them apply.
Engine, transmission & cooling12

01CVT wear and failure (K13 automatic)

Test drive from cold, on an incline if possible.petrol2010–2016Transmission
CommonTransmission $3,000–$5,500 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

Automatic K13 Micras/Marches use a small Jatco CVT that suffers worn belts, pulleys and control modules when fluid changes are skipped - the same Jatco-era weakness as bigger Nissans. Symptoms are shudder, whine, slipping and eventually failure, and a replacement unit often exceeds the car's value. Buyer guides for the K13 bluntly recommend the manual over the CVT unless the auto has full fluid-change history.

Symptoms to notice

  • Shudder or judder from a standstill
  • Whining that rises with road speed
  • Revs flaring without acceleration
  • Hesitation or clunk selecting Drive

What to check

  1. Test drive from cold, on an incline if possible.
  2. Feel for shudder pulling away and listen for whine at constant speed.
  3. Ask for CVT fluid change receipts - no records means budget for trouble.

Where to look: CVT transaxle in the engine bay

Ask the seller

  • “When was the CVT fluid last changed?”
  • “Has the CVT ever been repaired or replaced?”

02CG10DE/CG13DE Timing Chain Stretch and Guide Wear

Listen carefully during cold start for metallic chain rattle from the cam cover area.petrol1992–2003EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

03Xtronic CVT judder and overheating on the K14

Drive it in the conditions that expose a CVT rather than the ones that flatter it.2017–2021TransmissionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

04CVT overheating and shudder without fluid maintenance (K14)

Test drive including a sustained hill and check for shudder, flare and warning lights.petrol2017–2021Transmission
OccasionalTransmission $3,500–$6,000 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

K14 Micras with the optional Xtronic CVT are flagged by reliability guides as the higher-risk variant: skipped fluid changes lead to overheating, shudder, whine, slipping and control-module faults. Manual versions have noticeably fewer reported problems. The CVT is fine when serviced, but on a small cheap car an out-of-warranty CVT repair is often uneconomic - service history decides whether to buy.

Symptoms to notice

  • Shudder under gentle acceleration
  • Whining or droning at speed
  • Slipping / rev flare
  • Transmission overheat warning on hard use

What to check

  1. Test drive including a sustained hill and check for shudder, flare and warning lights.
  2. Ask specifically for CVT fluid service receipts - Nissan's 'sealed for life' messaging means many were never serviced.

Where to look: CVT transaxle in the engine bay

Ask the seller

  • “Has the CVT fluid ever been changed?”
  • “Any shudder or warning lights under load?”

05K12 CVT Judder and Belt Slip (Hyper-CVT)

Test drive on flat road at light throttle between 20–50 km/h and feel for judder through seat and steering.petrol2003–2010TransmissionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

06Timing chain and intake cam phaser rattle on the 0.9/1.0 turbo

The K14 Micra uses Renault's small turbo petrol engines rather than the Nissan units in earlier Micras, and they are chain-driven.petrol2017–2021Engine
OccasionalEngine $900–$3,200 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The K14 Micra uses Renault's small turbo petrol engines rather than the Nissan units in earlier Micras, and they are chain-driven. Two separate noises come from the same end of the engine and are easy to confuse. The first is timing chain rattle, which needs watching on any of these engines. The second is wear inside the intake camshaft phaser — the variable valve timing actuator — which gives a ticking or rattling that is distinct from chain noise and is typically reported beyond about 120,000 km. Neither is an immediate failure, but both are noises that get worse and both are best found before you buy rather than after. As with all chain-driven small turbos, the strongest predictor is oil change history: this engine is unforgiving of long intervals and cheap oil.

The front of a dual overhead camshaft engine with the timing cover removed, exposing the timing chain and sprockets.Example of the part — not this vehicle

The front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.

Logansenf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Rattle from the front of the engine in the first seconds after a cold start
  • Persistent ticking at idle once warm, separate from injector noise
  • Engine warning light with camshaft timing or correlation codes
  • Rough idle or a loss of low-down response
  • Rattle briefly returning when the engine is switched off and restarted warm

What to check

  1. Insist on a genuinely cold start and be standing at the front of the car when the key is turned — this is the one moment that tells you the most, and if the seller has warmed the car up before you arrive, arrange to come back rather than settling for a warm start.
  2. Listen to the first three to five seconds for a rattle or a chatter that then clears; a healthy engine settles almost immediately.
  3. Once it is warm, listen again at idle with the bonnet up for a steady tick that stays constant with the revs.
  4. Ask to see the service book and count the oil changes — this engine wants them on time, and a car with gaps in the record is the one to walk away from.
  5. Check the oil on the dipstick is at level and reasonably clean rather than black and thin.
  6. Ask the seller whether it makes any noise on a cold morning; owners often describe it accurately when asked plainly.
  7. If a workshop inspection is possible: have the stored codes read for camshaft correlation faults, which distinguish phaser wear from a stretched chain.

Where to look: Front of the engine — timing chain, tensioner and intake camshaft phaser

Parts involved: Timing chain, Turbocharger.

Ask the seller

  • “Does it rattle at all when started on a cold morning?”
  • “How often has the oil been changed, and can I see the record?”
  • “Has any timing chain or camshaft work ever been done?”

07IG-T turbo triple timing chain system wear (K14)

Cold-start and listen for chain rattle.petrol2017–2021Engine
OccasionalEngine $1,500–$2,500 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The K14 Micra's 0.9/1.0 IG-T turbo three-cylinders share their timing chain system with Renault's 1.0 TCe family, and chain/tensioner wear is the main long-term concern flagged by reliability reports - rattle on start-up and cam-timing codes on cars with stretched oil-change intervals. The engine is otherwise well regarded (port injection avoids carbon build-up issues). Strict oil changes with the correct spec oil are the defence; buy on service history.

The front of a dual overhead camshaft engine with the timing cover removed, exposing the timing chain and sprockets.Example of the part — not this vehicle

The front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.

Logansenf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Rattle at cold start
  • Check-engine light with cam timing codes
  • Rough running when cold

What to check

Cold-start and listen for chain rattle. Insist on seeing full service records - the correct low-viscosity oil and on-time changes are what keep this chain alive. A K14 with patchy history should be priced down.

Where to look: Timing chain at the cam-drive end of the IG-T engine

Parts involved: Timing chain, Turbocharger.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the car had on-time oil changes with the correct oil?”
  • “Any start-up rattle?”

08Timing chain stretch on CR10/CR12/CR14 (K12)

Cold-start the car (bonnet should be cold to the touch when you arrive) and listen at the passenger end of the engine for chain rattle.petrol2002–2010EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

09HR12DE 3-cylinder timing chain wear and oil consumption (K13)

Cold-start it and listen for rattle in the first 15 seconds.petrol2010–2016Engine
OccasionalEngine $1,200–$2,200 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The K13's 1.2 three-cylinder HR12DE uses a timing chain that is reliable with clean oil but stretches on neglected cars, typically past 100,000 km - causing cold-start rattle, rough idle and cam-timing fault codes. The small sump means missed oil changes hurt it disproportionately, and high-km examples also start using oil. On a cheap city car the chain job is a significant proportion of the car's value, so a rattling K13 needs to be priced accordingly.

The front of a dual overhead camshaft engine with the timing cover removed, exposing the timing chain and sprockets.Example of the part — not this vehicle

The front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.

Logansenf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Rattle on cold start from the engine's chain end
  • Rough or uneven idle (beyond normal 3-cylinder thrum)
  • Check-engine light with cam/crank correlation codes
  • Oil level dropping between services

What to check

  1. Cold-start it and listen for rattle in the first 15 seconds.
  2. Check the dipstick level and oil condition.
  3. Ask for the service history - the HR12 forgives little; anything without regular oil changes is a gamble.

Where to look: Timing chain behind the engine's end cover; check dipstick at the front of the bay

Parts involved: Timing chain.

Ask the seller

  • “What oil-change intervals has the car had?”
  • “Any cold-start rattle or oil top-ups between services?”

10CR12DE Valve Stem Seal Oil Consumption

Check oil level frequency — consumption of more than 500ml per 5000km is abnormal.petrol2002–2010Engine
CommonEngine $600–$1,800 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

CR12DE 1.2 valve stem seals harden and shrink allowing oil to enter the combustion chamber, causing blue smoke on startup and increased oil consumption between services.

Symptoms to notice

  • Blue smoke from exhaust on startup after overnight park, clearing after 30-60 seconds of running
  • Frequent oil level checks needed as level drops between services

What to check

  1. Check oil level frequency — consumption of more than 500ml per 5000km is abnormal.
  2. Look for blue smoke from exhaust on startup after overnight park.

Where to look: Valve stem seals in cylinder head

Ask the seller

  • “Has the cr12de valve stem seal oil been inspected or repaired?”

11CR10DE/CR12DE Timing Chain Tensioner Rattle

Cold-start from overnight cold and listen for metallic rattle from the engine front.petrol2002–2010Engine
CommonEngine $500–$1,800 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The Nissan March K12 CR10DE 1.0 and CR12DE 1.2 timing chain tensioners rattle on cold start from oil pressure lag. The small oil capacity of these engines means tensioner condition is highly sensitive to oil change intervals. Rattle beyond 10 seconds at operating temperature indicates worn tensioner or guides.

The front of a dual overhead camshaft engine with the timing cover removed, exposing the timing chain and sprockets.Example of the part — not this vehicle

The front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.

Logansenf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Metallic rattle from engine front on cold start
  • Rattle persisting beyond 10 seconds or remaining at operating temperature

What to check

Cold-start from overnight cold and listen for metallic rattle from the engine front. Normal clears in under 5 seconds. Rattle at operating temperature indicates worn tensioner — prompt replacement is required to prevent chain skip on these small engines.

Where to look: Front of CR10/CR12 engine, timing chain tensioner and guides

Parts involved: Timing chain.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the cr10de/cr12de timing chain tensioner rattle been inspected or repaired?”

12Throttle Body Carbon Fouling Causing Rough Idle

Rough idle or hesitation on deceleration confirms the fault.petrol2002–2010Engine
CommonEngine $100–$350 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

Throttle body butterfly and bore accumulate carbon deposits from crankcase vapour causing rough idle, hesitation at low speed, and occasional stalling.

Symptoms to notice

  • Rough idle with an uneven engine note at light throttle and during deceleration
  • Occasional stalling when releasing the throttle in traffic from idle instability

What to check

Rough idle or hesitation on deceleration confirms the fault. If a workshop inspection is possible: Remove the air filter and inspect the throttle body bore with a torch — grey-black deposits on the butterfly plate and bore indicate fouling.

Where to look: Throttle body on intake manifold

Ask the seller

  • “Has the throttle body carbon fouling causing been inspected or repaired?”
Electrical3

01Electric Power Steering Motor or Sensor Failure

Scan for EPS fault codes.2002–2010Electrical
OccasionalElectrical $600–$2,000 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The K12 March EPS system can develop a fault in the column-mounted motor or torque sensor causing sudden or gradual loss of power assistance.

Symptoms to notice

  • Sudden or gradual loss of power steering assistance with steering warning light
  • Heavy steering requiring significant manual effort at parking speeds and low-speed manoeuvring

What to check

  1. Scan for EPS fault codes.
  2. Test steering during test drive — any heavy or inconsistent feel requires investigation.
  3. Any warning light for the EPS system.

Where to look: EPS motor and column assembly

Parts involved: Steering rack.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the electric power steering motor or been inspected or repaired?”

02Electric power steering (EPS) column failure (K12)

With the car stationary and running, turn lock to lock - assistance should be even both ways with no groaning or dead spots.petrol2002–2010ElectricalRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

03Multiple safety recalls - airbag, seat frame, wheel hub, ignition wiring (K14)

Take the VIN and have a Nissan dealer (or the/NZTA recall lookup) confirm all recall campaigns are completed.2017–2021Electrical
OccasionalElectrical $0 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The K14 Micra was subject to several recalls: ignition switch wiring on early 2017 builds, passenger airbag modules (2016-2017), driver's seat frame welds (2016-2021) and front wheel hubs on late-2017 cars. All are fixed free by Nissan, but imported examples may have slipped through the recall net. Any K14 should have its VIN checked with a Nissan dealer for outstanding campaigns before purchase - an unfixed seat or hub recall is a genuine safety issue, not paperwork.

Symptoms to notice

  • Usually none - recalls are latent defects
  • Airbag warning light in some airbag-module cases
  • Clicking/creaking from the driver's seat frame

What to check

  1. Take the VIN and have a Nissan dealer (or the/NZTA recall lookup) confirm all recall campaigns are completed.
  2. Check the service book for recall completion stamps.
  3. Listen for creaking from the driver's seat when rocking in it.

Where to look: Driver's seat frame, passenger airbag, front wheel hubs, ignition switch wiring

Ask the seller

  • “Can you show the recall work has been completed?”
  • “Has this car ever been checked by a Nissan dealer since import?”
Body, brakes, suspension & interior7

01Driver's seat rail stopper recall — the seat can slide out of position

Nissan recall R22D6 covers 285,515 Micras built between 5 December 2016 and 5 October 2021 — effectively the whole K14 run.2017–2021Interior
OccasionalInterior $0–$1,200 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

Nissan recall R22D6 covers 285,515 Micras built between 5 December 2016 and 5 October 2021 — effectively the whole K14 run. Where the driver's seat is set at a position that lines up with a design feature in the upper rail, the stress limits of the rail material can be exceeded and the rear stopper on the lower rail can break under heavy continuous load. If it does, the driver's seat can slide out of its set position, and because the seat belt anchorage is tied to the seat, the belt may then not restrain the driver as intended in a crash. The dealer fix is a seat rail replacement taking about fifty minutes and it is free. This is worth checking on any imported example, because the original recall notice went to an owner overseas.

Symptoms to notice

  • Driver's seat moving or rocking on its rails when it should be locked
  • Seat sliding backwards under acceleration or forwards under braking
  • Seat not locking positively into a chosen position
  • Creak or knock from under the driver's seat over bumps

What to check

Take the VIN from the base of the windscreen or the driver's door jamb and ask a Nissan dealer whether recall R22D6 and the other Micra campaigns of this era have been completed. That check is free and it settles the question properly. Then test the seat yourself: sit in the driver's seat, take hold of it and try to rock it forwards and backwards and side to side — a seat that is locked should feel solid, and any movement on the rails is the symptom. Slide it through its full travel and lock it at several positions, checking each one takes up positively rather than needing a nudge to settle. Note that the fault is position-dependent, so a seat that feels solid in one place is worth re-testing further forward and further back. On the drive, note any creak or knock from beneath you over bumps, and any sense of the seat shifting under braking. Ask the seller for recall paperwork. If a workshop inspection is possible: ask for the seat rails and the seat mounting to be checked as part of the inspection.

Where to look: Driver's seat — lower seat rail and its rear stopper, under the seat

Ask the seller

  • “Has the Nissan seat rail recall been completed, and is there a dealer invoice?”
  • “Does the driver's seat ever move or feel loose once it is locked?”
  • “Was this car imported, and has it been to a Nissan dealer in New Zealand?”

02Front Strut Top Bearing Collapse and Mount Failure

With vehicle stationary, turn steering wheel slowly lock to lock and listen for clunking from each strut top.petrol2003–2010Suspension
CommonSuspension $350–$950 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

K12 Micra front strut top mounts and bearings deteriorate with age, resulting in clunking and knocking over bumps and during steering lock-to-lock movement. The plastic bearing race cracks and the rubber mount loses compliance. Common on NZ/AU examples due to unsealed road exposure and age. Continued use causes strut instability and imprecise steering. Inexpensive to fix but frequently overlooked as an age-related noise rather than a safety item.

Symptoms to notice

  • Clunking or knocking from front suspension over speed bumps or rough roads
  • Clunk when turning steering wheel from lock to lock at low speed
  • Rattling from front strut towers when going over dips
  • Vague or imprecise steering feel

What to check

With vehicle stationary, turn steering wheel slowly lock to lock and listen for clunking from each strut top. Push down on each front corner of the car and release — clunking indicates worn mount or bearing. Visually inspect strut top mounts under bonnet for cracking or separation.

Where to look: Front strut tops, visible under bonnet at each front corner

Parts involved: Shock absorber / strut.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the vehicle had any front suspension noise investigated?”
  • “Have the front strut mounts or top bearings been replaced?”
  • “When were the front struts last serviced or replaced?”

03Front Lower Arm Ball Joint Wear

Inspect the boot for splitting.2002–2010Suspension
CommonSuspension $250–$600 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

Front lower arm ball joints wear causing clunking and handling imprecision.

The front wheel of a car splayed outward with the lower control arm hanging down after a ball joint separation.Example of the part — not this vehicle

A separated lower ball joint: the control arm has dropped and the wheel has splayed out under the guard.

Elfix · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Clunking from front suspension over bumps
  • Imprecise handling feel when cornering

What to check

Inspect the boot for splitting. If a workshop inspection is possible: With vehicle raised, lever the lower arm and check for ball joint play.

Where to look: Front lower suspension control arms

Parts involved: Ball joint.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the front lower arm ball joint been inspected or repaired?”

04Brake Caliper Slide Pin Seizure from Corrosion

Test for pulling under braking.2002–2010Brakes
CommonBrakes $150–$500 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

Front brake caliper guide pins seize from corrosion causing uneven pad wear and brake pull.

Symptoms to notice

  • Vehicle pulling to one side under braking from uneven pad application pressure
  • One front brake disc significantly hotter than the other after moderate braking

What to check

  1. Test for pulling under braking.
  2. After stopping, feel each front wheel for uneven heat.
  3. Remove calipers and inspect guide pins for restricted movement.

Where to look: Front brake calipers both sides

Parts involved: Brake disc and pads, Body corrosion.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the brake caliper slide pin seizure been inspected or repaired?”

05Premature suspension bush and wheel bearing wear (K13)

Drive over a rough street and listen for front-end knocks.2010–2016Suspension
CommonSuspension $300–$800 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The K13 has a documented tendency for front suspension bushes and wheel bearings to wear early - knocks over bumps, droning at speed and vague steering. Parts are cheap and the jobs simple, but a car with multiple worn corners fails a WOF and the costs add up. It is the most common non-drivetrain complaint on these cars in owner reviews.

Symptoms to notice

  • Knocking or rattling over bumps
  • Droning or humming that changes with speed (bearing)
  • Vague or wandering steering
  • Uneven front tyre wear

What to check

  1. Drive over a rough street and listen for front-end knocks.
  2. At 80-100 km/h, gently weave and note whether a droning noise changes - a wheel bearing on its way out.
  3. Check front tyres for uneven wear across the tread.

Where to look: Front control arm bushes, anti-roll bar links and front wheel bearings

Parts involved: Wheel bearing.

Ask the seller

  • “Have any suspension bushes or wheel bearings been replaced?”
  • “When did it last pass a WOF and were there any notes?”

06Rear Torsion Beam Axle Bush Collapse

Inspect rear beam mounting bushes for cracking and deformation.2002–2010Suspension
CommonSuspension $200–$500 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

Rear beam axle rubber bushes harden and collapse causing rear suspension knocking and imprecision. Very common at 10+ years on NZ examples.

Symptoms to notice

  • Knocking from rear suspension over rough surfaces and speed humps
  • Imprecise rear handling and the rear feeling slightly unsettled on uneven roads

What to check

  1. Inspect rear beam mounting bushes for cracking and deformation.
  2. Push beam laterally with vehicle raised — any clunking indicates collapsed bushes.

Where to look: Rear beam axle mounting points to body

Ask the seller

  • “Has the rear torsion beam axle bush been inspected or repaired?”

07Water leaks into cabin - scuttle drains, door seals, rear light gaskets (K12)

Press your hand firmly into the front footwell carpets and lift the boot floor to check the spare wheel well for water or rust stains.petrol2002–2010Body & Rust
CommonBody & Rust $100–$500 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

K12 Micras are known for water finding its way into the cabin: blocked scuttle/plenum drains flood the front footwells (and can kill electronics under the carpet), worn door seals let water past, and rear light cluster gaskets leak into the boot. Damp carpets lead to mould, rust and electrical faults, so it is worth ten minutes of checking on any K12 - particularly one that has lived outside.

Symptoms to notice

  • Damp or wet front footwell carpets
  • Musty smell inside
  • Water pooling in the boot / spare wheel well
  • Misted windows that never clear

What to check

  1. Press your hand firmly into the front footwell carpets and lift the boot floor to check the spare wheel well for water or rust stains.
  2. Check door seal condition and look for tide marks.
  3. If possible, view the car after rain.

Where to look: Scuttle panel below the windscreen, door seals, rear light clusters and boot floor

Ask the seller

  • “Has the car ever had water inside?”
  • “Have the scuttle drains been cleared?”

Nissan Micra faults in detail

Each of these has its own page: the symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller and what the repair costs. Free, no account needed.

CG10DE/CG13DE Timing Chain Stretch and Guide WearCritical · EngineElectric power steering (EPS) column failure (K12)Major · ElectricalK12 CVT Judder and Belt Slip (Hyper-CVT)Major · TransmissionTiming chain stretch on CR10/CR12/CR14 (K12)Major · EngineXtronic CVT judder and overheating on the K14Major · Transmission

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Nissan Micra’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

Other Nissan models

Nissan Patrol48 documented faultsNissan Navara45 documented faultsNissan X-Trail45 documented faultsNissan Stagea22 documented faultsNissan Juke21 documented faultsNissan Murano21 documented faults

Nissan Micra buyer questions

Is the Nissan Micra reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 22 documented faults for the Nissan Micra, the recurring problem areas are transmission, engine, and interior. A Nissan Micra with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.

What are the most common problems with a used Nissan Micra?

We've catalogued 22 known faults for the Nissan Micra, covering transmission, engine, and interior. All 22 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Nissan Micra?

Most single repairs on the Nissan Micra fall between $400–$1,800 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 22 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.

Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Nissan Micra?

Yes. A Nissan Micra inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.