2003 Nissan Micra S 1.2 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Dreadful

Faults:

Engine management light is on.

Air bag light is flashing.

Flat battery every 3 days (new battery).

The car will not start for 5 minutes after stalling, or turning the engine off.

Had a new cam sensor.

Had a new crank sensor.

General Comments:

Why are the sensor lights on?

Why is battery completely flat after 3 days?

Why won't the car start after turning the engine off or stalling for 5 minutes?

I believe the manufacturer changed in 2003, from Nissan to Renault?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th November, 2011

2nd Jul 2014, 11:37

Based on what you said, I have made a massive loss on this Micra. Bought it for 1650, then done 1 grand work on it over the year that I had it for. The engine cuts off, making it very dangerous. Changed the throttle body plus the battery, and fan belts, and that did not make a change, plus a full engine service. Has not made a difference. At the end, found out it was the timing chain. Sold it off for just under £500.

If I were you or anyone with this model, get it sold off ASAP. It's not worth a penny. It's not even a Japanese car. There's a Renault engine under the bonnet.

2003 Nissan Micra S 1.2 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

It's a great car, especially for a first car, and does everything you need it to do

Faults:

My battery light kept flashing while driving, after about 3 months, my boot kept 'unlocking' (not so much opening) while I was driving, or it would start 'buzzing' (like when you've left the lights on but engine off.

After a year of this, took it to Nissan - they said I needed a new boot catch (I knew this wasn't true - as it held shut when it wanted to for months on end). Took it to another Nissan dealer, then said it was the boot switch - they replaced this for £100 and have had no problems since, and battery remaining fully charged now (clearly had been draining battery as boot kept trying to open while locked - so 'buzzed' instead.)

Just before Christmas, engine light came on - AA said it was camshaft position sensor. Turned it off and said take it to Nissan if it comes on again. Came on again, Nissan said my timing BELT had stretched and it would cost me £998. I refused to pay that, and took it to my local garage who looked at it and said 'you haven't got a timing belt, you've got a chain and there's nothing wrong with it' - they charged me £45 for diagnostics, and told me if it comes on again, it could be due to needing more oil, a faulty sensor, or the fact that you've had difficulty switching it on (3 or 4 times) and therefore has reported as a fault. Either way, nothing to worry about.

General Comments:

I love this car, it's been a great little car, has never (touch wood) broken down, I've doubled its mileage in the last 21 months, and am more fed up with Nissan trying to rip me off every time, rather than with the actual problems the car may have.

Admittedly, it can't cope with different extreme weather types, but for a little nippy car, which it certainly has been and still is, I'm extremely impressed. Just extremely disappointed with Nissan's customer service and behaviour towards any problems I've had.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st January, 2010

4th May 2010, 11:24

Nissan dealers are pretty clueless when it comes to fault diagnosis, as I've found out myself. I changed to another (Nissan) dealer who seems to have much more knowledge of the car. All they want to do is charge you a small fortune for a basic service, as opposed to trying to sort out any problems you may have.