1999 Nissan Micra GX 5 Door review from UK and Ireland

The car has numerous scratches and grazes on bright red paint that are impossible to get out even with assistance from high grade compounds.

The gearbox has recently lost the spring on the gearbox which allows the gear stick when resting in neutral to sit in the centre of the box (edges over towards 1st & 2nd gears).

Handbrake is unsure at times, can pull to end of the travel on flat road, yet halfway on hills???

Drivers side electric window has broken away from runners and is now useless.

The drivers door trim is broken and cracked, looks 10 years older than the car itself.

Front number plate is cracked, chipped and in bad general state of repair due to being exposed at the front with zero protection.

Boot lid gets stuck when opening, requires hands to free from the latch.

Remote locking sounds slow and each door locks individually.

Standard radio display has broken and shows partial station's and frequencies.

Drivers wing mirror replaced when it got knocked off, and cost in excess of 70gbp to replace!!! This is manual not electric...

Exhaust has recently begun to blow, and rattles when the engine is switched off, sounds like popping corn in exhaust for up to 1 hour after engine is turned off.

Wheel trims have scars all round, are cracked and buckled, easy to scratch as exposed from the wheels!

Local dealer went into liquidation soon after purchasing the car, and a few years extended warranty disappeared with them.

The Micra feels like it rides on bicycle tyres most of the time which can be fun yet adventurous in corners and roundabouts. The tall sides do not help the handling on exposed roads with cross winds or indeed any winds at all.

Can pick up speed easily if pushed hard, but this enivitably eats your wallet after a time of doing so.

Inoffensive styling is not to everyones taste, generally the elderly, and females favour it, as there is a 'cute' look about the car.

Dash is simply laid out, with most buttons to hand. steering wheel is bulky, but does have airbag inside which is a bonus.

With seats laid down (not flat) storage is quite reasonable, access to the the load space s good with square opening and upright boot.

The all round visibility is fantastic, but interior mirror is a bit on the small side for full rear view.

I like the upright seating position and height of the car, but this tends to be achey on longer journeys.

Insurance and parts are pricier than european competitors. The engine starts first time everytime which is a bonus.

Re-sale value is poor in relation to similar european models.