Common Problems with the
2013 Nissan Note (E12)

The 1.2 DIG-S could be ordered with Nissan's Xtronic CVT from spring 2014. Auto Express's used Note guide summed it up as best avoided because of poor economy and a clunky action, especially on hills, and RAC owner feedback includes the engine dying on uphill ascents with D selected. Wear usually shows as shudder from a standstill, revs flaring without drive and a droning whine, most often between 50,000 and 90,000 miles on cars that never had the 'sealed for life' fluid changed. A replacement CVT costs more than the car is worth, so this is a walk-away fault rather than a negotiation.

Auto Express records three recalls against the E12: a starter button that could stay engaged once the engine was running (cars built up to March 2014, campaign August 2015), out-of-specification ignition coils whose internals short-circuit, causing misfire and, in the worst case, a blown fuse in the powertrain control unit so the car stalls and will not restart (campaign R/2016/008, cars built August 2015 to January 2016, 2,010 in the UK), and an ABS fault on some April 2016-built cars. Out of warranty the coil repair is a modest bill, but a half-completed campaign leaves you with a car that can leave you stranded.

RAC's owner survey for this Note picked up a wheel bearing replacement, a knock when driving over small bumps and easily marked dash and door panels, and the model's overall MOT record is weaker than the UK average - CarPeep's analysis of 2025 tests put the Note at 63.1% initial passes against a 72.3% national figure. In practice that means bushes, drop links, tie rods and hubs are the recurring spend, with salt-winter cars showing corrosion advisories around the suspension pick-up points and arch liners.