Carsieve

Nissan Micra K12 (2003-2010): known problems and buying guide

Built
2003–2005
Median price
€1,650
Listings
170
Running cost per month
€374
Power
65 PS (48 kW)
Reliability
2/5
DIY
2/5

Below-average breakdown record. Prefer a car built after the 2005 facelift and check the chain on pre-2005 1.2 petrols before paying.

All versions

VariantRunning cost per monthMedian priceListingsFuelEngine codesGearboxProduction years
1.2, 65 PS, 5-speed manual Research€374€1,55079Petrol CR12Manual (5)2003–2005

At a glance

  • Years and codes: built 2003 to 2010. Petrols CR12 (1.2), CR14 (1.4) and HR16 (1.6). Diesel K9K (1.5 dCi).
  • Reliability: 2/5. ADAC rates the Micra below average for breakdowns and inspections. The 1.2 petrol before the 2005 facelift can have a stretched timing chain.
  • DIY: 2/5. Chain and diesel turbo work needs a workshop. Most buyer checks need no tools.
  • Prefer: a car built after the 2005 facelift, with service records.
  • Avoid: a pre-2005 1.2 petrol with no timing chain records, and a 1.5 dCi with no injector or turbo records.

Engines and gearboxes

  • 1.2 petrol, CR12 (65 and 80 PS): the timing chain can stretch, mainly before the 2005 facelift. See the table.
  • 1.4 petrol, CR14 (88 PS): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
  • 1.6 petrol, HR16 (110 PS, 160 SR and C+C): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
  • 1.5 dCi, K9K (65, 68, 82 and 86 PS): injector leaks and turbo failures at high mileage. See the table.
  • 5-speed manual: no fault confirmed in the sources read.
  • 4-speed automatic: no fault confirmed in the sources read.

Known issues

Issue Affects Typical km Repair cost
Timing chain stretch on the CR12 petrol 1.2 petrol (CR12), mainly before 2005 Not stated No confirmed price
Injector leaks and turbo failure on the K9K diesel 1.5 dCi (K9K) Not stated No confirmed price
Ignition lock fault All Not stated No confirmed price
Airbag plug fault Many older cars Not stated No confirmed price
Tailgate lock fault All Not stated No confirmed price
Suspension wear and failed inspections All Not stated No confirmed price

Before you buy

  1. On a 1.2 petrol built before the 2005 facelift, ask for timing chain records. Listen for a rattle on cold start. A rattle, knocking under load changes, or no chain records means a workshop must check the chain.
  2. On a 1.5 dCi, ask for injector and turbo records. Leaks from the injection system or a failed turbo are bad signs. A workshop must check both.
  3. Turn the key through every position and start the engine. A lock that sticks, or a car that will not start, is a fault.
  4. Start the car and check the airbag warning light. If it stays on, a scanner is needed to read the fault. A faulty airbag plug is one cause.
  5. Open and close the tailgate with the key and with its switch. A lock that does not open or close is a fault.
  6. Bounce each corner of the car. Shock absorbers that let the car keep bouncing need replacing. Ask for the TÜV report. Failed springs or shock absorbers are a bad sign.
  7. Check every recall campaign for the VIN with a Nissan dealer before you buy. The campaigns are in the Recalls table.

Running costs

Operational€186
Workshop€103
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)€102
Total per month€391
New-car depreciation (not included)€29

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Market

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

Find offers on mobile.de

Listings
170
25th percentile
€1,200
Median price
€1,650
75th percentile
€1,999
Median mileage
159,500 km
Median first registration
2004
Dealer share
38.8%
Price at 100,000 km
€2,251

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.

In detail

Timing chain stretch on the CR12 petrol

Symptoms: a rattle or knocking on cold start, and knocking under load changes. Cause: the timing chain, which drives the camshafts, stretches early. A stretched chain can jump and cause a serious engine failure. Which cars: the 1.2 petrol (CR12), mainly before the 2005 facelift. Carwiki and gebrauchtwagenberater.de say later cars are less affected. Kolesa.ru, a Russian press site, puts the stretch at 40,000-60,000 km, although the chain is rated at about 250,000 km. Fix: a new chain and tensioner, done at a workshop.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de, carwiki.de, ADAC Gebrauchtwageninfo, kolesa.ru

Injector leaks and turbo failure on the K9K diesel

Symptoms: leaks in the common-rail injection, and turbo failure. Cause: wear at high mileage. The injectors and the turbo are the weak points, and the turbo can fail even when the car is otherwise sound. Which cars: the 1.5 dCi (K9K). The 82 PS car from 2003 to 2005 has no ADAC engine code, so check the engine by name. Fix: injector or turbo replacement at a workshop.

Sources: AUTO BILD, 2005 test, carwiki.de, gebrauchtwagenberater.de

Ignition lock fault

Symptoms: the car will not start, or will not drive off, because a contact in the ignition lock is faulty. Which cars: the ADAC list gives the 2003 and 2005 builds most often. Fix: the lock is replaced.

Sources: ADAC Gebrauchtwageninfo, carwiki.de, gebrauchtwagenberater.de

Airbag plug fault

Symptoms: the airbag warning light comes on. Cause: a defective airbag connector (plug). Which cars: many older cars. Fix: the plug is repaired or replaced.

Sources: carwiki.de, gebrauchtwagenberater.de

Tailgate lock fault

Symptoms: the tailgate cannot be opened or closed. Cause: the tailgate lock fails. Which cars: all. Fix: the lock is replaced. Recall 2/2006 covers this fault (see the Recalls table).

Sources: ADAC Gebrauchtwageninfo, carwiki.de, gebrauchtwagenberater.de

Suspension wear and failed inspections

Symptoms: springs, shock absorbers and axle mounts fail the TÜV inspection. Cause: wear of the suspension parts and their mounts. Which cars: all. Fix: springs, shock absorbers or axle mounts are replaced. ADAC lists suspension faults as frequent.

Sources: ADAC Gebrauchtwageninfo, carwiki.de, gebrauchtwagenberater.de

Recalls

Country Code Years What is done
Germany Not given Campaign 2/2006 Tailgate cannot be opened or closed. Check the VIN with a dealer.
Germany, 2,417 cars Not given Campaign 5/2006, I-Key models only Start-turn knob is replaced.
Germany, 144 cars Not given Campaign 5/2009 Faulty weld on the driver airbag. Check the VIN with a dealer.
Germany, 40,567 cars (other models too) Not given Campaign 11/2010 A relay for the engine control unit can fail, and the engine can stop while driving.
Germany, 66,558 cars Not given Campaign 5/2013 Steering wheel fixing bolt, torque problem. Check the VIN with a dealer.

Maintenance

  • Service: every 15,000 km or once a year.

Sources

German

Russian