2008 Nissan Note 1.6L Petrol · DS08 ABV

A persistent theme across the MOT history of this 2008 Nissan Note is a cluster of lighting, braking, and suspension component defects that have surfaced repeatedly over several test cycles, culminating in a failure on 11 July 2023 with five major defects. That most recent test flagged a faulty supplementary restraint system warning lamp, a non-functioning horn, severely reduced nearside headlamp output due to product contamination on the lens, an untestable offside headlamp aim, and a failed offside dipped beam. Looking at the broader picture, the vehicle has recorded two failures in 2022 and 2021 alongside a 2020 failure, with stopping lamp malfunctions appearing in three separate test entries (2020, 2021, and 2022), suggesting an unresolved electrical or bulb holder issue rather than isolated incidents. The 2023 lighting failures, combined with the recurring stop lamp defects, indicate that the exterior lighting and related electrical circuits warrant close attention before any purchase decision. Recorded mileage of 136,845 miles over an 18-year life equates to roughly 7,600 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and class, implying steady if moderate use rather than extended periods off the road. The MOT testing cadence is consistent, with annual entries from 2019 through 2023 and no multi-year gaps, which means the wear recorded on suspension, braking, and tyre components is likely to reflect genuine accumulated use rather than deterioration during long standing periods. The 2019 advisory noting wear on both front suspension arm pins or bushes was followed by a major defect on the offside lower arm in 2021, demonstrating that the suspension deterioration flagged two years earlier ultimately progressed to a failure point on at least one side. This pattern of advisories converting into majors is a useful indicator that remaining advisory items on any future test should be treated as time-limited rather than cosmetic. From a buyer's perspective, the rear wheel bearing noted as slightly noisy on both 2022 advisories is a component that frequently worsens rather than stabilises, and on a test drive it would be prudent to listen at low speed with the windows down for a rumbling or humming tone that rises and falls with road speed, particularly when lightly cornering to load the bearing. The front suspension arms and their pins or bushes should be inspected for any knocking or clonking over speed humps and uneven surfaces, as the 2021 failure on the offside lower arm points to a known weakness that can recur after replacement if the corresponding nearside is not also renewed. The 2020 major defect for an excessively binding offside front service brake suggests a sticking caliper or seized slider, and on inspection the buyer should feel for the vehicle pulling one way under moderate braking, any pulsing through the pedal, or excessive heat from the offside wheel after a short drive. Given the repeated stop lamp failures across three consecutive years, a thorough pre-purchase check should include verification of all rear lighting functions, including sidelight interactions, and a scan for any stored airbag or SRS fault codes, as the 2023 supplementary restraint warning lamp indication cannot be diagnosed through a road test alone and requires professional diagnostic equipment to confirm whether the fault lies in the system itself or merely a failed warning indicator.