Nissan Micra consumer car reviews and road tests

Nissan Micra 2011

I love my Micra, I’ve had her from new and have now done 26k in the first 18 months travelling up to Sheffield for work. The thing flies! However, yesterday my engine management light came on, so it’s back into the discovery until I find the time to get my dealership to sort out this irritating problem.

Nissan Micra 2005

My Nissan Micra Sport plus has NEVER passed an M.O.T test since I bought it from new. Last year the engine management light came on and I was told it was the timing chain. I paid £500 and the light came on a week later. I was then told it was the lambda sensor so paid £120 pound the light did not go off, so got other sensor changed and guess what? Yep, the light is still on. Now the abs and hanbrake light comes on when I go over 60 miles per hour. A useless car, I will never, ever, buy a Nissan again! I have been told that the bits inside the engine are now Renault parts. That explains everything!

Responses to this review

It seems to be the ECU of car, which has gone mad and keeps giving wrong electrical signals of sensors. As ECU is the main communication hub, if this go crazy one can imagine what could be the result - N H from Lancashire

Nissan Micra Acenta 2011

Nissan customer services have not responded to my issue with my new Acenta; When it rains and I put the front side windows down the rain is not cleared from the window. This means I can not see out these windows or my side mirrors. This is dangerous and I need to keep the window down to see clearly when I move from parking. The dealer tells me this is how all Acenta’s are. It’s clearly a design fault that Nissan are ignoring. My next car will not be a Nissan, as the build quality is as poor as their customer service. The dealer was also indifferent to my complaint about the windows. Charles Hurst @ Co. Antrim treated me like the fussy little women, which I am not! I expect to be treated as well as any male customer and for my complaints to be looked into.

Responses to this review

You are being treated like anyone else. Cost to sort is a pound. Wipe down glass with anti mist. Easy find in poundland or ASDA. Or old fashioned way, put vinger and lemon in warm water and wash with that. Please take a chill pill - Mark from Cornwall

Nissan Micra 12e 2006

I clocked up 92000 miles on mine and only had to replace 2 rear-wheel bairings, the power-steering motor at 70000 miles and the clutch at 91000miles. A good car, but not as good as the older shape Micra.

Nissan Micra 2003

I bought my Nissan Micra brand new in 2003. For the first couple of years I loved it, it was a great little car, good on petrol, great turning circle, lovely to drive, but then the problems started and it’s cost me a lot of money over the years. I’ve had issues with the timing chain, which had to be replaced at great cost. Also a faulty boot switch where the boot kept opening on it’s own whilst driving. I’ve had to have a new steering column fitted. Problems with the windscreen wipers and indicators, numerous electrical faults and a flat battery on a number of occasions. The latest problem is with the ABS light which is constantly on and the Speedometer, which intermittently stops working! I’ve just spent money on an ABS Sensor to get this problem resolved but it didn’t work. I’ve tried to report problems to Nissan in the past, but they didn’t want to know. Looking at a lot of forums many people have experienced the same problems I have. I personally will not be buying another car from Nissan.

Responses to this review

I love my 2003 Micra, it`s full of character and a great nippy little car with plenty pf room and I love the interior, but for the last 12 months I have experienced exactly the same problems you mention. My boot kept popping open randomly, the ABS warning keeps coming on and the car keeps cutting out when steering/parking at low speed. I’m sure it`s the steering column. That said, I am reluctant to part with it, but don`t want to spend a fortune fixing it either. I`m not sure what to do - Colleen Bradshaw from England

Nissan Micra 2005

Have recently parted with my second Micra, she had done 105,00 miles and was as sweet as a nut with only some small faults, (wiper assembly, bearings three times). She went through the last few winters and started perfectly. Befoere I had a Micra I drove a Rover, but was offered a Micra as a courtesy car and was hooked! Best car in over 30 years of motoring. Just bought a 1.2 micra Acenta connect. I would recommend one to anyone.

Nissan Micra 2008

Fantastic car! It’s done 40,000 miles and I have had no problems whatsoever. The only issue I have had is with the window screen wipers and that is due to general wear and tear through all the mileage I have done with it! Yes it does feel a lot of bumps on the road, but that’s what I love about it! Cute looking car, big boot and always starts no matter how cold the weather! It has passed it’s MoT and is brilliant if you want a car that gets you from A-B. Cannot fault this car and its good sturdy engine at all!

Nissan Micra Acenta 2011

This is my second Micra (Acenta) 2011 and it’s not up to the same standard as my first Aurbis. The side windows will not clear of rain when put down (I believe it’s a health and safety issue and a design fault). Nissan customer services have responded to my emails in a negative way, by not addressing my complaint.

Responses to this review

I have just purchased my new Nissan Accenta and have the same problem with the windows not clearing the rain. I rang my dealer who has told me to come in and he will spray with something that repels the water and assures this is will sort our the problem. Has your driver window got auto up and down window? Mine only has auto down but my dealer says thats the way they are manufactured now... seem strange to suddenly change it after all the years the Micras have had it - Kags Colton from England

I have yet to come across any car with self cleaning windows. Do people not wipe the rain and mist off windows before getting in to drive away these days? Do they expect the car to do everything for them? Having said that, if the outside of the drivers window is wet with rain and you can’t be bothered to wipe it, press on the glass slightly as you lower and raise it and this will cause the glass to rub up against the rubber sealing strip and may clear it - Bob from Hampshire

Nissan Micra sx 2003

Owned this car since it was 33 months old and have done 64K in it and it now has 84K on the clock. Apart from consumables it has had a new oxygen sensor and windscreen wiper mechanism fitted. This is a very reliable car with good mpg (av. 52,5). A good British built car. If we had kept the Rover factory going we could have had totally good British cars.

Nissan Micra 1.3 Automatic 1994

This is a great car. It’s nifty and good at 80 mph. It’s the best car I have ever driven and it’s also hilarious when beating people off the lights due to the great acceleration.

Nissan Micra 2005 S

Terrible car, very poor interior finish, just like a man’s washbag! It’s a poor ride, you feel every bump and road noise is excessive. At six years old and at 8,000 miles, there are numerous electrical problems including abs faults, earthing problems and most recently misfiring through the rev range, which is yet to be rectified. Returns 45-50 mpg, pretty high insurance for such a small car. I really can’t emphasise enough the poor quality interior, it’s hard wearing, but would seem more at home on a KIA.

Nissan Micra 2000

my Micra is the best car I have ever had. I have had many cars over the past 30 years, but the most reliable is the Micra, it’s 10 years old and never broken down. Anything made in Japan is good!

Nissan Micra 1.2 Acenta 2008

Hi, I bought this car for my wife in April 2008. No problems, easy to drive, good visibility and returns about 50 mpg. Looks good in solid red and came with roof and side spoilers, bluetooth, steering wheel audio and telephone controls and much more. We have had 6 Micra’s over the last twenty years or so and have never had a significant problem, my daughter’s 9 year old 90,000mile S model still had the original exhaust and battery, and has never failed an MOT. My only advice would be to ensure that the engine oil is changed regularly (at least every 9000 miles or yearly) with good quality lubricant which should prevent timing chain problems. What are we going to do now they have stopped making the Micra in the UK?

Nissan Micra 1999

An excellent reliable and comfortable vehicle, well able to take people long and short distances. My vehicle has stood up to a lot of hard work for five years with the absolute minimum of fuss and expense.Reminiscent of the Morris Minors of times gone by, all mechanical parts last for ever, and the paint work still glows. Other cars have tried to displace it but I cannot find anything else that, for its age, can beat it. I have always let them go and gone back to the Micra.

Nissan Micra 1.2 SE Automatic 2004

It’s my wife’s car. It is a nippy little motor (especially for an automatic), it can hit 60mph in about 11-12 seconds and has given larger cars a run for their money. It can go up to speeds of 105 to 110 mph (though I’ve never dared to attempt such speeds ;) ). I have found the car to be reasonably economical, returning milages of 40 to 46mpg (nowhere near the claimed 50-odd mpg that some of the other reveiws have mentioned). It is amazing, however, how much power is left when the car is wound up to 70 or 80 mph but, watch out for squealing brakes at low speeds and a prominent droning/whinning sound at motorway speeds (this could be something as simple as an exhaust fix or, worst case, a complete transmission/gearbox overhaul). Nonetheless, the Micra is one of, if not THE most reliable cars on the road today.

Responses to this review

I have also heard that grind noise you mention and I am pretty sure it’s the ESP, which is some kind of traction control system that put vibrating brakes on a wheel if it starts slipping. I thought it was like transmission or some other kind of grind at first - Yonatan Frimer from Israel

In response to the whining/ grinding noise mentioned; it was a worn wheel bearing that was causing it, this was immediately fixed upon discovery - Alan from Lanarkshire

Nissan Micra 1.0 cvt 1993

A great cheap car to run. No worries about depreciation at this age. Had mine for three years. Always starts and above all is reliable. Low insurance, tax and running costs. Love the gearbox, so smooth and returns 45 mpg on short journeys. This is motoring at it’s most basic.

Nissan Micra 1999

Even though it’s an old car, it was the first one I ever bought, and yes it was second hand but it started first time everytime. It was a trusty reliable car, it passed its MoT with flying colours and dhas one me quite a few thousand miles before I sold it on, which I had to because of the kids! I miss my trusty old Micra! It was low on insurance and tax and was a great runner. I would reccomend anyone to buy one.

Nissan Micra Auto 2004

This is my wife’s car, well it was until I started driving it. I used to drive a 4x4 Pathfinder, when I sold it I started driving my wife’s Micra, what a cool little car that sticks to the road like s**t to a shovel. The only fault is the radio keeps playing up, maybe a loose wire? No other faults at all, perfect in all ways. BUY ONE, TRUST ME.

Responses to this review

I like your review of the Micra, sounds like the car for me. Only one problem... they don’t make it here in the United States, do you think it would be possible to purchase one there and have it shipped here? I have put my name on the waiting list at the dealer to purchase the Chevrolet Spark, which they say say is like the Micra. If there was some way I could buy the Micra I’d do that before I buy the Spark. Raymond Carter from England

Nissan Micra vibe 2002

Purchased from new, other than regular servicing I have had no other expenditure, I have covered over 40,000 miles and it still has original exhaust and tyres. Husband often drives it and is considering purchasing a new Micra to replace his Ford Fusion.

Nissan Micra ddds 2005

I have had my micra for 3 months and its already a big part of me, best car you can ever buy.

Nissan Micra Alantra

In the past two years I have downsized from Volvo S80 to Audi A2 (unreliability personified) and now to my Micra 1.2 automatic. The level of refinement, build quality and equipment levels of this car are excellent (and I tested many small mainstream cars before deciding on the Micra). Despite it being automatic I am returning up to 50mpg and although the 0-62mph figures look depressing on paper the very smooth and precise auto box belies this. I would recommend that anyone considering a new city car look beyond the glitzy cosmetics of some of the rivals and have a serious look at the Micra.

Responses to this review

Since it is an automatic, what type of gear box? Is it a conventional box with a torque converter or a CVT?? Have you experienced any problems with the gear box. Thanks - Spencer from Middlesex

Nissan Micra acenta 2008

Very pleased and satisfied - good handling; very reliable; starts first time; good on fuel consumption for mileage.

Nissan Micra 1000 cc saloon 2002

Brilliant little car which actually belongs to my wife but when my own car broke down I scrapped it and decided to use hers until I bought a new one. That was 3 years ago and I drive it more than she does! If I decide to buy a car for myself it will be a Micra, which when you consider I am 6ft tall and weigh 17stone is quite amazing. The only thing that could be regarded as a problem with ours [mine] is when we go over a bump, sleeping policeman or a depression in the road the front suspension make a crunching noise which is a little annoying to say the least. After 4/5 inspections none of the mechanics are able to find any fault. I would appreciate any comment on this.

Responses to this review

The sound that you hear from your front suspension, when going over bumps etc., is the front shockers, which have rubber bump stops. They may look ok on inspection but with the weight of the car they are very thin, which in turn hits the inner body when going over bumps. Just replace the upper rubber bump stops, easy to do yourself, if I can do it anyone can - John Stone from Warwickshire

Nissan Micra 1.2 80PS Acenta Auto 2008

Reluctantly swapped much loved Cavalier (12yrs) to treat my wife but have fallen in love all over again - she is quiet, comfortable and responds beautifully (the car that is) - very impressed.

Responses to this review

Hello Have you had any problems with the CVT auto box? How is the mpg?? Thanks - Spencer from Middlesex

Nissan Micra 1992

I have had my K reg for four years and it has never failed to start regardless of the weather. It is reliable, economic and easy to maintain. Last year, I paid £200 maintenance for a 15 year old car, that must take some beating. I use the car every day and travel out of Birmingham in the car at least once a month and have every confidence in it to get me there and home again.

Nissan Micra 2002

Very reliable little car, mine is the 1000cc so not much power for acceleration, feels a little too weak on the motorway and the suspension is pretty rigid so you do feel the bumps and then some. However, I’ve had mine for 4 years now and not a single problem has developed, fuel mileage is good and the paintwork still looks very shiny and new. I’ll definitely buy another when I feel I can part with this one - it’s become a bit of a pet!

Nissan Micra 1.5 dCi SE 5d 2006

Totally reliable and I think a really nice cute looking car. Really nippy to drive over short or long distance and very comfortable. Excellent running costs and value for money. Wouldn’t be without mine.

Nissan Micra 1983

At first glance, the 1983 Micra is certainly an enticing prospect. The sporting driver is drawn to the sporty tyres and sizeable exhaust tailpipe and will not be surprised to learn that the 987cc engine packs a fruity 52 horsepower punch which is able to propel the Micra to a maximum speed of 94mph on a racetrack. The safety-conscious family driver will be pleased to learn that the Micra are equipped with 2 seatbelts in the front and 2 in the rear. After owning this car for 4 years (I waited for the price to drop before buying second-hand) I must say I’m thoroughly delighted with my purchase. The only significant downside is the faintly nutty aroma of the interior. I did briefly entertain the possibility that squirrels had built a nest (technically known as a "drey") in the dashboard but on inspection there were no squirrels present, just a small family of raccoons which I decided to leave in peace rather than evict and run the risk of being bitten. On further reflection, I suspect the aroma may be the fault of the (deceased) previous owner and I will be contacting his family in due course to request a partial refund for the distress caused by this unwanted fragrance. Nevertheless, this car comes highly recommended by me and the only reason I will sell is to upgrade to a 1986 Nissan Sunny I hope to import from Luxembourg in the summer. A step up in the luxury car world, I’m sure you’ll agree.

Responses to this review

I totally agree. My 1984 Micra had a suicidal deceased owner in it for 6 months or more, nobody knows, in his garage before I bought it and I couldn’t be happier as I bought it at a huge discount with low mileage, garaged car with its own family of rats [I like rats] from the family as they were going to scrap it. Mine’s called Bert and bits of him are still in the car. Some say it smells funny and the seats are a bit sticky, but it never bothers me or anyone else as I live on my own and the rats are a source of company. Who could ask for more apart from cheaper petrol as I now have to sell my organs and limbs and burn the floor boards to keep warm. They are even charging me now to go on my annual paid holiday to go seal clubbing in the Antartic. I ask you, I’m sure you will agree - Des Davis from Vale of Glamorgan

Nissan Micra 1.5 dCi SE 2007

Proper girl’s car. Agile on the road and and spacious inside. Good size boot for all that shoe shopping!

Nissan Micra 1.4 SE

What can I say? Not the most dynamic of cars, acceleration is not the quickest but as far as dependability goes there can not be many other cars that provide such piece of mind as my Micra. I've been running it now for three years and not had any problems worth mentioning. If you need a car that gets you from A to B regularly then this is a car that is worth bearing in mind. Reliable is the word that would sum up the Nissan Micra.

Nissan Micra

Good little run about, never fails to start even on the coldest days. Cheap to run and for replacement parts. Easy to park. Good size boot considering it’s a little car. Suitable for any purpose. Bit slow to respond to accelaration but it is a smaller engine. Thats probably the only bad thing you can say about it.

Responses to this review

Sounds great, I’m thinking of buying one because I’ve heard people say such good things! The car I own now is a Vauxhall Corsa and I have had nothing but problems, so I am looking forward to purchasing a Nissian Micra! - Vicki Malpass from Staffordshire