2013 Nissan Note 1.4L Petrol · VA13 ABX

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 6 May 2026 with two advisories recorded, being a minor exhaust gas leak from the offside rear exhaust section and a nail previously found in an offside rear tyre that was repaired at the time of test. While the current pass is favourable, a review of the preceding test history indicates that the maintenance trend is broadly stable rather than improving. The 2024 and 2023 tests passed with only minor tyre and coil spring advisories, but the May 2025 test produced a fail with both a major defect relating to excessive wear in the offside front suspension arm ball joint and a dangerous advisory concerning the offside front brake hose. This cluster of chassis and braking issues in a single test suggests that although the vehicle has since been remedied to pass, the underlying wear pattern on the front suspension and brake hydraulic components warrants close physical inspection prior to purchase. With a recorded mileage of 91,719 miles over approximately 13 years, the Nissan Note is averaging around 7,055 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a car of this age and class. There is no evidence of unusually low or high mileage, nor any significant gaps in usage that would suggest long periods of standing. This average rate of accumulation implies steady wear on consumable items such as brake pads, discs, tyres, clutches (if applicable), and timing or auxiliary drive components, all of which should have been replaced multiple times across the vehicle's life. Continued mixed-condition use at this mileage is not in itself a concern, but it does mean that certain major service intervals, such as cambelt replacement and coolant renewal, should be verified as having been carried out at the appropriate schedule. The most significant area of concern arising from the MOT history is the front suspension and braking system. The failure record from 2025 noting an excessively worn offside front suspension arm ball joint is a defect that, if left unaddressed, would compromise steering precision and wheel alignment, and on a test drive would typically manifest as a clonking or knocking noise from the front end over speed humps or uneven surfaces, vague steering, or uneven inner-edge tyre wear. A ball joint replacement on a vehicle of this age may indicate that adjacent components such as the nearside ball joint, suspension bushes, and track rod ends are also approaching the end of their service life. Likewise, the dangerous advisory concerning the offside front brake hose points to perishing or swelling of the rubber hydraulic line, a condition that may recur on the nearside hose given similar age and heat exposure. On a road test, the buyer should listen for any scraping, grinding, or pulsation through the brake pedal, check for the vehicle pulling to one side under braking, and inspect both front brake hoses for cracking or bulging under the wheel arch liners. Beyond the recorded defects, several age and mileage related checks should be carried out during physical inspection. Despite the relatively modest annual mileage, the offside rear coil spring corrosion advisory from 2024 is worth noting, as corroded springs can fail suddenly and typically present as a visible drop in ride height on one corner or a harsh, crashing ride over bumps. The exhaust system should be examined for further corrosion around the rear joint, particularly where the 2026 advisory was issued, listening for any increase in exhaust noise on startup or under load. Tyre condition warrants close scrutiny not only for tread depth but also for sidewall cracking and perishing common on thirteen year old rubber, even when tread remains legal. The twelve volt battery should be tested for state of health, as units of this age frequently suffer reduced capacity leading to starting difficulties. Finally, the buyer should confirm that brake fluid, coolant, and transmission oil have been changed at their calendar based intervals rather than purely mileage intervals, request evidence of a cambelt or timing chain service record depending on the engine variant fitted, and ensure that the service book stamps align with the mileage trajectory observed.