NISSAN NOTE2009 · 1.4L PETROL

The 2009 Nissan Note presents a stable and improving maintenance trend, culminating in a clean pass at 53,933 miles on 10 December 2025 with zero defects recorded. This represents a significant turnaround from the failed test conducted just hours earlier on the same day at 53,932 miles, where the tester flagged excessively worn nearside and offside front lower suspension arm rear bushes, excessively worn nearside front suspension arm ball joint, an incorrect offside headlamp aim, critically thin offside front outer brake pads below 1.5mm, and worn and pitted front inner brake discs on both sides. The fact that all six defects were rectified before the same-day retest indicates a responsive owner who addressed the issues promptly. The vehicle's mileage pattern tells a compelling story of genuinely low usage. At approximately 3,173 miles per year over 17 years, this is substantially below the UK average of around 7,000 to 8,000 miles annually. The recorded progression from 48,468 miles in December 2023 to 51,733 miles in December 2024 shows an increase of roughly 3,265 miles in that twelve-month window, which is consistent with a slight uptick in usage but still well within low-mileage territory. The minimal gain of just 200 miles between December 2024 and December 2025 suggests the car may have seen very limited use in its most recent period, or possibly stood idle for stretches. There are no suspicious mileage reversals or gaps in the record, and the annual test pattern has been consistent each December. Despite the cleanest result in the vehicle's recent history, a buyer should not treat the December 2025 pass as a blanket endorsement of mechanical health. The recurring pattern across the 2023 and 2024 tests reveals persistent wear in the front suspension bushes and ball joints, which were flagged as slightly worn in 2023 and had deteriorated to excessive wear by the December 2025 failure. This progression suggests these components are a known weak point on this particular car and will require ongoing attention. The front brake discs and pads have appeared as advisories or failures in three consecutive test cycles, indicating either a driving style that is hard on braking components or a possible issue with caliper operation causing premature wear. A physical inspection should focus on checking for any play or roughness in the front suspension ball joints and bushes, examining the condition of the front brake discs for scoring depth beyond surface-level pitting, and verifying that the brake calipers are not binding. The headlamp aim defect, while minor, warrants a quick check to ensure the headlamp levising system or adjusters have not been disturbed. Given the low annual mileage, a thorough underbody inspection for corrosion is also prudent, as vehicles that stand for extended periods can develop surface rust on subframes, brake lines, and suspension mounting points that does not always present as an MOT failure but affects long-term structural integrity.