2016 Nissan Leaf Electricity · DP66 CVS

The 2016 Nissan Leaf presents a broadly stable but recently emerging maintenance trend. The most recent MOT, conducted on 16 January 2026 at 96,335 miles, passed but carried a notable advisory for sub-frame corrosion at the rear axle, flagged under reason code 5.3.3 (b) (i). The tester judged the corrosion not serious enough to constitute a failure, yet its appearance in the latest test after four consecutive clean passes signals a developing structural concern rather than a resolved historical one. The record shifted from zero-defect results between November 2020 and December 2022 to advisories appearing in both the June 2024 and January 2026 tests, indicating a gradual decline in underside condition. Mileage accumulation sits at roughly 9,600 miles per year, which is typical for a decade-old electric vehicle used for regular commuting. The interval between the December 2022 test at 92,173 miles and the June 2024 test at 94,036 miles shows only 1,863 miles added over approximately eighteen months, suggesting a period of lighter use or extended standing. The subsequent jump to 96,335 miles by January 2026 represents a further 2,299 miles over roughly the same timeframe, a modest increase but not one that implies excessive wear on drivetrain or braking components. No alarming gaps or sudden surges appear in the odometer record. The June 2024 test at 94,036 miles flagged both the nearside front and offside rear tyres worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge, indicating uneven tread wear that typically points to misaligned tracking, worn suspension bushes, or neglected rotation intervals. A prospective buyer should inspect all four tyres for continued uneven wear and have the wheel alignment and front suspension components checked, including drop links, track rod ends, and wishbone bushes. The January 2026 advisory for rear sub-frame corrosion warrants a thorough underside inspection with particular attention to the rear axle mounting points, suspension mounting brackets, and battery casing mounts, as corrosion in these areas can compromise structural integrity on an electric vehicle where the battery pack adds significant weight to the rear structure. Brake lines and the exhaust-equivalent cable routing for the regenerative braking system should also be examined for corrosion, given the advisory's focus on the rear underside.