IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2010 Nissan Note (E11)

European second-facelift Note models went on sale in late 2010 as 2011 model-year cars, with restyled bumpers and lamps and a revised engine line-up; UK cars gained further equipment and trim changes before the Sunderland line switched to the E12 in 2013.

What changed for 2010

  • •Revised front and rear styling with a redesigned grille, bumpers and tail lamps
  • •Updated equipment and trim structure moving to Visia, Acenta and Tekna naming
  • •Engine range and emissions revisions to keep the car competitive on company-car tax

Common MOT watch-outs

  • !Corroding rear arches, sills and the fuel filler area on salt-bitten examples
  • !Exhaust, drop-link and rear shocker wear from family hauling and kerbed wheels
  • !Failed heaters and blowers, plus fogged or cracked rear lamps
3
Known Issues
1
Serious
2
Moderate
0
Minor

All Known Issues

1.5 dCi Injector, Turbo and DPF Trouble

SeriousEngine

The Renault-derived diesel can be economical, but injector leaks, turbo wear and blocked DPFs create stacked bills on neglected cars.

Est. Repair Cost: £400–£1,800
Warning Signs:

Smoke under load, Limp mode, Whistling turbo or difficult starting

What to Inspect:
  • Look for black carbon around injectors
  • Check for turbo whistle and full boost
  • Ask what kind of journeys the car does
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Rear Coil Spring Breakage

ModerateSuspension & Chassis

Rear springs corrode and snap, often showing up first as a failed MOT rather than obvious poor ride.

Est. Repair Cost: £180–£320
Warning Signs:

Rear sits unevenly, Clonk from the back, Broken spring noted on MOT

What to Inspect:
  • Inspect both rear springs directly
  • Check ride height side to side
  • Look for fresh spring replacements on only one side
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Steering Rack Knock

ModerateSteering

A clonk through the steering over low-speed bumps is common and can point to rack wear or tired front-end joints.

Est. Repair Cost: £180–£600
Warning Signs:

Knock through the wheel, Noise over rough urban roads

What to Inspect:
  • Drive on broken surfaces
  • Check track rods and rack play
  • Inspect front tyres for odd wear
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Buying Tips for 2010 Nissan Note (E11)

  • Check for the seat belt pretensioner and airbag campaign history, as later E11 production was affected by recall work
  • Confirm the heater, blower and demisting work fully, because a cold van-style dash on a family car is a bad sign
  • Compare prices with the 2013-on E12, which is roomier and better equipped for not much more money
2006–20092011
Check a 2010 Nissan Note (E11) by Registration