Faults:

Just about everything!!!

The handling sucks big time.

1.0 petrol engine is a real real joke, there's absolutely no power at all to propel the car once it hits a 10% gradient slope.

The seats are just terrible, they are no better than toilet seats in a typical Singapore coffee shop. There's absolutely no support at all when you take hard corners and body roll is mind you, too much for comfort. I will suffer a backache if I drive for more than an hour.

The brakes sucks big time, you can't just simply slam on the brake should you encounter a road obstacle in front of you. The car will skid.

Gear lever feels as if it would break and disintegrate under hard use.

General Comments:

This is an absolutely crappy car that Nissan calls a March.

I got this car when I suffered a minor accident with my Volvo S40, the March was a courtesy car given to me by my insurance company. Thank goodness I will be getting my S40 in 1 week's time after the bumper has been resprayed.

If economy is in for you, fine!

But if you are really into performance and comfort, look for something else, definitely not Japanese. It's well known fact that Japanese cars handle like a toy cars!

Faults:

Mechanically - Nothing at all.

Body - Exterior side trims needed re-attaching and paint marked/chipped easily.

Interior - Not well sealed sealed against dust entry.

Electrical - No faults.

General Comments:

This has been a wonderful little car.

Does not handle as well as my mini did, but is more refined and was faster when new.

Mechanically extremely reliable.

Good economy and performance.

Trim is wearing well.

Too much body roll.

Handling improved with lowered suspension.

Faults:

The timing chain was replaced under warranty when the tensioner failed and it was rattling badly.

CV joint replaced under warranty.

Both front shock absorbers replaced.

Failed to start one morning. Called the AA, who diagnosed 'flooded spark plugs' - apparently a common problem with Micras.

Gear lever makes a curious buzzing noise in 3rd and 5th which stops if you hold it. The dealer re-attached a spring in the linkage, but it was doing it again within days.

Clattering noise from gearbox (?) when idling.

Corrosion starting on the nearside sill, and also under front of car.

Compared to Fords the reliability is a dream (and I suspect we have had more problems than most Micra owners).

The car is an ex-company car which may well explain some of the faults (possibly a pool car driven by lots of drivers).

General Comments:

We really like our Micra, but may be changing it for a Primera soon as we want something a bit bigger and faster on the motorway.

For a 1-litre car it does quite well on the motorway, but ours seems afflicted with an annoying 'boom period' dead on 70mph. It is much smoother and quieter at 80mph.

Nissan service is very good, but a bit costly - a full 'c service' cost £250 which seems a bit steep compared to other small cars, especially considering the Micra is built in Sunderland and not abroad.

It is very spacious for a small car and it is surprising how much can be put in with the seats folded.

Nissan may be labeled as dull and boring, but it gives many people exactly what they want - a reliable and affordable car that doesn't fall apart - Ford could learn a thing or two!