Comparison · small hatchbacks

Nissan Micra vs Hyundai i20: which is more reliable?

The Hyundai i20 does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 97 for the Nissan Micra, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 363,754 real MOT tests in 2024.

Nissan Micra

97Below average
MOT tests238,364

Hyundai i20

100About average
MOT tests125,390

By age

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

Age at testNissan MicraHyundai i20
3–5 years
101About average
101About average
6–9 years
96Below average
105Above average
10–14 years
100About average
96Below average
15+ years
95Below average
99About average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearNissan MicraHyundai i20
202191.2%85.8%
202088.0%89.0%
201983.4%87.8%
201877.2%85.4%
201771.7%83.1%
201675.6%80.7%
201573.9%78.7%
201469.6%69.0%
201366.5%62.0%
201263.0%58.3%
201161.7%59.1%
201060.5%59.3%
200959.6%57.9%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaNissan MicraHyundai i20
Lights & electrics26.614.8
Suspension17.87.1
Brakes9.212.0
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.77.1
Tyres6.35.7
Body & chassis4.71.9
Emissions & leaks3.92.4
Seat belts & airbags1.81.4

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%

Hyundai i20: top failures

  1. Position lamp: not working3.8%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.4%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.8%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
  6. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.3%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Nissan Micra or the Hyundai i20?

The Hyundai i20 does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 97 for the Nissan Micra, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Nissan Micra and Hyundai i20 can be compared?

Both were tested for 13 registration years (2009–2021). The Nissan Micra had the higher pass rate in 7 of them and the Hyundai i20 in 6.

What fails most on each?

Nissan Micra: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; position lamp: not working. Hyundai i20: position lamp: not working; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively.