Comparison · small hatchbacks

Honda Jazz vs Nissan Micra: which is more reliable?

The Honda Jazz does better at the MOT, with a score of 109 against 97 for the Nissan Micra, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 567,686 real MOT tests in 2024.

Honda Jazz

109Well above average
MOT tests329,322

Nissan Micra

97Below average
MOT tests238,364

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testHonda JazzNissan Micra
3–5 years
107Above average
101About average
6–9 years
112Well above average
96Below average
10–14 years
118Well above average
100About average
15+ years
100About average
95Below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaHonda JazzNissan Micra
Lights & electrics14.626.6
Suspension8.317.8
Brakes13.29.2
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.77.7
Tyres5.36.3
Emissions & leaks3.83.9
Body & chassis2.64.7
Seat belts & airbags0.81.8

Honda Jazz: top failures

  1. Position lamp: not working3.6%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.9%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.1%
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.5%
  6. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength1.2%

Nissan Micra: top failures

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.8%
  2. Position lamp: not working3.7%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.2%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.0%
  5. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.8%
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.5%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Honda Jazz or the Nissan Micra?

The Honda Jazz does better at the MOT, with a score of 109 against 97 for the Nissan Micra, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Honda Jazz and Nissan Micra can be compared?

Both were tested for 20 registration years (2002–2021). The Honda Jazz had the higher pass rate in 18 of them and the Nissan Micra in 2.

What fails most on each?

Honda Jazz: position lamp: not working; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. Nissan Micra: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; position lamp: not working.