Nissan Micra (K11)
The bubble-shaped Micra, driving-school favourite.
The story
Round, friendly and almost impossible to break, the second Micra had modern 16-valve engines and light controls. It was a huge success with learners, first-time buyers and older drivers alike.
Inside
Tall and airy, with simple controls and thin pillars that make it easy to park.
In period colours
Tap a colour to respray the drawing.
It was the first Japanese car to be voted European Car of the Year, for 1993.
Meanwhile, in 1992
The Premier League kicked off.
Best-selling single of 1992: I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston
Before you buy a 1990s car
- On petrol engines, check the cooling system and any sign of head gasket trouble.
- Ask when the timing belt was last changed, where fitted.
- Parts for mass-market cars are widely available; specialist and low-volume models can be hard to find.
General notes, not specific to this model. Check the model's own history before buying.
Rivals of its day
Picked automatically: cars on sale at the same time with similar size, speed and price.
See the real thing
These open in a new tab: the car on Wikimedia Commons, the interior and the badge as Google image searches.
Today's money: the launch price adjusted for inflation to 2026, using the Office for National Statistics price index.