2010 Nissan Navara 2.5L Diesel · EA10 LTU

The defining mechanical story of this 2010 Nissan Navara is a clear pattern of front suspension and steering wear converging with a serious tyre failure in mid-2026. In July 2026 the vehicle initially failed its MOT on a dangerous defect for both front tyres having plies or cords exposed, alongside a major ABS warning lamp fault indicating an electronic braking system problem, with an advisory note that the offside front lower suspension arm ball joint had slight play. Three days later it passed with only a minor windscreen damage item recorded, suggesting the dangerous tyre issues and ABS fault were addressed immediately, though the underlying suspension wear noted just beforehand may not have been fully rectified. Looking at the wider history, the July 2024 test produced three major defects on closely related front-end components: both offside and nearside front lower suspension arm ball joints excessively worn, and a nearside steering rack gaiter missing or insecure allowing dirt ingress. The recurrence of ball joint wear across consecutive test cycles is a meaningful indicator of chronic front suspension degradation on a vehicle of this age and mileage. With 122,917 miles recorded over approximately 16 years, the Navara is averaging around 7,682 miles per year, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a working pickup of this vintage. The testing pattern shows annual MOTs from 2024 onwards with a gap between 2023 and mid-2024, after which the vehicle has been tested consistently, suggesting it has been kept in active service rather than left standing. Mileage progression cannot be independently verified between tests, but the relatively continuous recent testing history is a positive sign that the vehicle has not been off the road for extended periods where corrosion, brake seizure, and drivetrain deterioration typically accelerate. For a prospective buyer, the front suspension is the single most important area to inspect. The ball joints on both sides have been flagged in two of the last three test cycles, which warrants a physical check for play in the front lower arms, accompanied by a bouncy or knocking front end over speed humps and uneven road surfaces. Steering response should also be evaluated for any vagueness, clunks on full lock, or signs of dirt contamination around the rack gaiters, given the recorded insecure gaiter in 2024. The ABS warning lamp that illuminated during the failed test should be confirmed as having been properly diagnosed and rectified rather than simply cleared; on a test drive, firm braking from speed on a loose surface should produce the expected ABS pulsation through the pedal without any warning lamp reappearing on the dashboard. The tyres being replaced after the dangerous failure is a positive, but it is worth confirming matching brand, size, and correct load rating suitable for a Navara, particularly if towing or carrying heavy loads was part of the vehicle's prior use. The rear fog lamp failure recorded in 2024 is a straightforward electrical item likely resolved by bulb replacement, but it is worth confirming that all exterior lighting, including the rear fog, operates correctly on inspection. The minor windscreen damage noted at the most recent test must be confirmed as remaining outside the driver's primary line of sight, as any subsequent chip propagation could quickly move it into an advisory or fail category. Given the working nature of this vehicle and the front-end component wear pattern, particular attention on a test drive should be paid to straight-line stability under braking, as any pulling to one side could indicate seized or binding calipers, and to the clunk-free operation of the front end over undulating surfaces, as ball joint deterioration on a dual-purpose pickup of this mileage can develop rapidly between tests and may not have been fully resolved at the most recent assessment.