Used car buying guide: Nissan Micra 160SR

Especially in light of the 160SR’s modest sub-£10,000 list price, we were impressed with the result, concluding: “If you’re after an affordable, good fun, well-equipped and practical lukewarm hatch, this is probably it.”

Who, before the arrival of the 160SR, would have imagined those words being written about a version of the K12 Micra? Only its mother would have called it pretty.

The 160SR is rare, so if you can’t find one, you can always content yourself with a regular Micra. Those worth a look are the special-edition XS of 2004, with alloy wheels, a roof spoiler and an aluminium gearknob, and the SX, a ‘luxurious’ model featuring dark-tinted headlights, front foglights and climate control.

The SVE went further with parking sensors and – get this – remote unlocking that works as you approach the car, plus a twist knob in place of the ignition barrel.

In designing the K12 Micra, Nissan admitted that it prioritised looks over interior space. Those looks were a bit of joke at the time. Today, an unmarked example in a bright colour and with some sharp-looking alloys doesn’t look so bad – especially if it says SR on the rump.

What we said then

16 July 2005: “The Micra 160SR is really convincing. Its engine is enthusiastic. It's five-speed ’box is light, not particularly short in throw but positive and accurate. The steering, more weighty than standard, has decent feel, while the chassis is stiff, composed and agile but not harsh. It is genuinely good fun.”

An expert's view

Simon Gadsden, LS Car Sales: “I’ve just sold an SR160 for £5000. It was a 2008-reg with fewer than 30,000 miles and was in lovely condition. It had belonged to an elderly gentleman. He was the second owner and bought it when it was only a few months old. 

“He sold it to me because the ABS pump had broken, meaning it wouldn’t pass the MOT test, and he couldn’t find a replacement. Parts for older cars are getting very difficult to source, but I did a bit of research and discovered that the SR uses the same pump as the Micra C+C convertible. The part cost me £400. I bought it, but two weeks later I saw the same thing on eBay for £50…

“I took a lot of calls on the car. The chap who bought it didn’t know what he was buying. He just wanted a reliable, low-mileage hatchback with a bit of performance for his wife to drive on the motorway.” 

Buyer beware

Engine: The 1.6-litre engine uses a timing chain. There have been reports of 1.2-litre Micras suffering chain stretch, so to be on the safe side, listen for the SR’s engine making ratchety noises or, especially from cold, sounding like an old diesel. Uneven running or even stalling may be the mass airflow sensor playing up.

Gearbox: If the car thumps into first gear, have the engine mountings checked. The gearlever has a long throw, but the changes themselves should be light, positive and accurate. 

Brakes: Check the ABS warning light isn’t on. At least you know how to get a new part and what it costs (see ‘An expert’s view’, above).

Interior: Check that the front seat side bolsters haven’t collapsed and that the boot floor isn’t damp (water can get in via the seals).

Body: There have been instances of electronic boot locks failing due to water ingress.

Also worth knowing

We said the SR160, or Sport SR as it was briefly called, is a rare thing, and that if you can’t track one down, you can always settle for a top-spec regular Micra.