After replacing crankshart sensors and getting stuck at various times when the car refused to start it was found that the timing chain had stretched. A COMMON EXPENSIVE FAULT. The car had only done 36000miles, Only out of the garage a matter of months and now another major repair required, This time it needs a new ignition switch unit which can be fitted by the local Nissan dealer for the small sum of £462 apparentlly the part costs over £250 and is only stocked by Nissan, The cost of these 2 repairs is worth as much as the value of the car, Nice car to drive but if you are thinking about getting one DON'T!!!!!! I wish that I had never set eyes on it.

My car has started only on a whim for the last 10 months. This has been a really dire situation as it is not reliable and can fail at the drop of a hat. At the moment I maybe get around 3 days of car use per week. The other days, I use the train or borrow my partners vehicle. Basically the engine light has been on for months and investigation has said initially that it maybe a faulty sensor. So this was changed. It still stayed on, so cam shaft sendor was changed. Eventually it was recognised that it was timing chain in engine which is a horrendous job and exeptionally expensive £1200.00. I cannot afford to change my car or have it repaired so have been left with a "pig in a poke", at 50,000 miles. After reading many forums I have discovered that this a problem shared by many Nissan mIcra owners, some who have only 20,000 on the clock.

I am really serious about this situation as I cannot afford to replace my car. Thus I have contacted Watchdog to see if they will take up my case.