Used Nissan Micra cars for sale or finance at 10.9% APR

You’ll only find one version of the Nissan Micra – a five-door hatchback. It shares several parts and engines with the similarly sized Renault Clio and Nissan also makes the slightly larger Juke SUV, which might be worth cross shopping if you like the Micra.

Alternative hatchback choices Micra buyers might want to consider include the Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo, Peugeot 208, SEAT Ibiza, Vauxhall Corsa and Kia Rio.

The Micra is just a millimetre shy of four metres long. That puts it in a very similar ballpark to other small hatchbacks although, on paper, it measures up fractionally shorter than most rivals including the Fiesta, Polo, 208 and Clio.

Despite its apparent deficit in size, the Micra is one of the more practical choices in this class. The cabin is large enough for four adults to sit in reasonable comfort, and five can just about squeeze in for short trips. More impressive is the boot, which is a usefully square shape and can easily swallow a large suitcase for a week away.

Nissan now only offers the Micra with a single petrol engine – your choice is either a five-speed manual gearbox or a CVT automatic. While this engine won't win any races, it's more than enough for the urban jungle and the occasional bit of motorway driving.

The Micra is a likeable little car. This version is much more grown up than its predecessors, with a handful of plush materials in the cabin and sharper, more aggressive styling.

We like the willing turbo petrol engine, which is well suited to town driving and its refinement on the motorway – something small cars don't always get right.

Nissan has slipped in recent reliability surveys, generally finishing in the middle of the pack. The Micra itself is one of the more mechanically simple cars the brand makes, however, so has fewer potential points of failure.

You can add an extended warranty to your Micra, which kicks in once the manufacturer's warranty has expired. This will protect you from unexpected repair costs in the event you have a mechanical or electrical failure.

Of course, the answer mainly depends on what part you're talking about. Replacing a broken brake light will always be much more affordable than replacing a knackered engine.

However, compared to the average car, parts for the Micra should be relatively affordable to reflect the car's small size and entry-level positioning.

All versions of the Micra should be fairly affordable to insure. Certain older versions with the 72hp non-turbocharged petrol engine actually slot into insurance group 1, putting them among the cheapest cars on sale to insure.

Most recent versions come with the 1.0-litre turbo engine, which tends to sit around group 8. That's still fairly affordable and undercuts most Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa models. The poshest Micras sit in group 12.

Yes, the Micra is a great choice for a first car. Low insurance groups, especially for the non-turbo petrol models, mean comparatively affordable premiums for new drivers. Plus, the Micra comes with lots of standard safety equipment to help reduce the chances of an accident.

Yes. All Nissan cars made after the year 2000 are able to run on E10 (10% ethanol) petrol.