Micra faults?

thepharcyde

thepharcyde

thepharcyde

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Looking at a Micra 1.0 tomorrow which I have put a deposit down on as its a trade in. It has been described as in good condition and will be a perfect run about.

It is one of the facelift bubble shaped one 2001. Any common faults to look out for mechanically when I check it out tomorrow, nothing seems to crop up on Google.

Thank you :)
 
dunno if they all had it but my gf's 03 plate one had a massive problem with the battery, if the car wasnt used for 4 or 5 days the battery would be flat....was recalled though, just make sure it's had that.
 
From the ones I've worked on I'd say watch out for the front crossmember rotting, even on recent ones. Other than that they seem to be pretty tough little things.
 
Lopéz said:
From the ones I've worked on I'd say watch out for the front crossmember rotting, even on recent ones. Other than that they seem to be pretty tough little things.
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My missus is worrying now after reading honest johns, but like I explained most cars can have inherent common faults which may/maynot go wrong? I saw the throttle body/MAF issue on Google but thought that afected the K10 which I assumed was the boxy one? Is the cross member an easy replacement for a novice mechanic aka me? Also a bit miffed re replacing the oil every 6 months, why is this?

Sorry for the bombardment of questions. Just tell me it is better than a 8v Ford Ka which she had her heart set on! :D

The one we have put a small deposit down on will be given 12 months MOT and RAC inspected as it is a trade in at a Fords dealership :) it has 44k miles. Do you know when the timing belt needs changing if at all as it is a chain?
 
Yes, the common fault is that you start merging words, and talking complete ****

* known to micra drivers as shap
 
thepharcyde said:
My missus is worrying now after reading honest johns, but like I explained most cars can have inherent common faults which may/maynot go wrong? I saw the throttle body/MAF issue on Google but thought that afected the K10 which I assumed was the boxy one? Is the cross member an easy replacement for a novice mechanic aka me? Also a bit miffed re replacing the oil every 6 months, why is this?

Sorry for the bombardment of questions. Just tell me it is better than a 8v Ford Ka which she had her heart set on! :D
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I don't know why the crossmembers rot so badly - I assume it's a dirt or water trap, or maybe they weren't painted particularly well from the factory?

Easy to spot though, very obvious if it's rotten. I think you can get a pattern one for about £30 odd quid, maybe £50 or so for a bloke with a mig welder to change it (they are welded on, so not a DIY job unless you can weld)

Oil every 6 months is no big deal, I assume these engines just "like" fresh oil, lots of cars over the years have been this way.

Seriously, Honesjohn is a good guide but it is a "worst case scenario" thing - read the guide for the Mondeo and I expect you'd faint, but they are one of the best mid 90's saloons you can buy.

Of all the superminis of this age I'd only choose a Fiesta above it I think, and that's more down to personal preference than anything.

EDIT
If it has 12 months real MOT the crossmember will NOT be rotten, it is an MOT failure.
 
Firestar_3x said:
I have to say, not really, engine aside the KA is better.
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I would get a sore throat though shouting over the engine noise:D.

The car will be used as a daily 1 miler to and from the station and weekly shop and anything which involves lugging crap which I am to anal to transport in mine :D
 
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Lopéz said:
Of all the superminis of this age I'd only choose a Fiesta above it I think, and that's more down to personal preference than anything.
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We did look at a couple and I noticed on both examples that they had rust in the same place bottom front wheel arches. Both of which were x reg MK5's. We have a cash budget of 3k and from what I thought is available believed the Micra to be better followed by the Fabia but these tend a lot more miles for the age, and even though I am sure it is fine, my ladys money she wants something under 50k

PS I cannot weld :D

Thank you all for the advise :)
 
Lol, i've had that shaped micra for a few days, it was great round town, still thought the KA was a nicer place to be, the Nissan will no doubt last forever given the most basic of maintenance.

I suppose just check on the things lopez has highlighted, oh and don't tell the GF its going to be fault free cause every car will have its issues!
 
Firestar_3x said:
Lol, i've had that shaped micra for a few days, it was great round town, still thought the KA was a nicer place to be, the Nissan will no doubt last forever given the most basic of maintenance.

I suppose just check on the things lopez has highlighted, oh and don't tell the GF its going to be fault free cause every car will have its issues!
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I'm kinda looking fwd to buying a Haynes manual and tinkering ;). When shes away of course
 
Chances are very little will go wrong with it, as mentioned the front cross member does rot but its quite an easy cheap fix at a garage, the rear sills are also prone to rot.
The heater resistor pack is known to go, but like most others, its a single screw to replace it. On older K11's, there is the occasional throttle body problem but its quite rare and replacements can be picked up easy from the scrap yard.
 
ah sorry by you sayin bubble shape and facelift i thought you meant the k12, not the k11!

ala:

1537_275443.jpg


but they earliest they started from was 2003
 
I had an N reg one until September, when it finally failed an MOT after 115K miles due to rust (I'm not sure where, but it would've needed welding that'd cost more than another one with less rust)

It'd been in my family from 1999 and put up with 2 learners. It never had any real problems, just went in to the garage every year for Service and MOT - so the oil certainly wasn't changed more often than anually.

It did splutter a bit starting it in the cold & wet conditions sometimes if it had been unsheltered.

Good little runabout though. Mine had no powersteering but was so light you hardly even noticed :)

Sluggish with 4 people going uphill though :P
 
Tesla said:
If I am honest £3000 seems crazy to spend on a K11. EXAMPLE

That's surely K12 money?

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...&model=MICRA&min_pr=&max_pr=3000&max_mileage=

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...&model=MICRA&min_pr=&max_pr=3000&max_mileage=

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...&model=MICRA&min_pr=&max_pr=3000&max_mileage=
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Thx for the links, unfortunately not around here, they are way north! £2461 is what we have been advised its up for, but thats before any negotiation. Slightly more miliege and private sales, we get a warranty in that price
 
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