2008 Nissan 350 Z 3.5L Petrol · AM57 SXG

The 2008 Nissan 350Z presents a broadly stable maintenance picture following its most recent MOT on 3 May 2024 at 117,475 miles. That test resulted in a pass, though the tester flagged several minor advisories rather than outright failures. Both front anti-roll bar D-bushes were noted as worn but not causing excessive movement, the battery was recorded as insecure, a wiper blade was defective, and a front position lamp was emitting an incorrect colour. These are low-level issues that suggest a car kept roadworthy but not cosmetically detailed. The 2021 test is absent from the supplied record, which is a minor gap worth clarifying with the seller, but the trajectory between 2023 and 2024 shows no escalation in severity. The mileage progression is remarkably flat. Between the 21 April 2023 test at 113,405 miles and the 3 May 2024 test at 117,475 miles, the car covered just 4,070 miles in over a year. That is well below the roughly 6,500-mile annual average expected for an eighteen-year-old vehicle and indicates either very light recent use or a period of limited activity. Low mileage can reduce wear on drivetrain and braking components, but extended sitting ages rubber bushes, degrades brake surfaces through corrosion, and can cause tyre flat-spotting, so a short post-purchase drive at varied speeds is advisable before committing. The 2023 test is the more technically informative entry. The tester flagged slight play in the nearside rear wheel bearing, a minor exhaust gas leak at the rear, severely deteriorated ball joint dust covers on both front lower suspension arms, and worn rear brake discs on both sides. None of these were dangerous at the time, but they point to a car that was accumulating age-related wear rather than being actively refreshed. Deteriorated ball joint covers allow grit and moisture into the joint itself, accelerating wear that can eventually cause knocking or, in extreme cases, separation. The rear brake disc wear and exhaust leak are consumable items, yet their presence alongside suspension wear suggests deferred rather than proactive maintenance. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front lower suspension arms and ball joints, checking for play and confirming whether the dust covers have been replaced since April 2023. The rear wheel bearing should be lifted and checked for roughness or movement, and the rear brake discs and pads should be measured for thickness and scoring. Given the battery advisory, verify the hold-down clamp is secure and the terminals are clean. The exhaust, particularly the rear section, needs a cold start listen for blowing or hissing that would confirm the minor leak has worsened. These are straightforward checks that will confirm whether the car has been left idle or genuinely maintained since its last test.