2013 Nissan Note 1.4L Petrol · FD13 NLE

A thirteen-year-old Nissan Note carrying 71,485 miles presents a notably thin mechanical history in MOT terms, with only one failure on file and a small cluster of advisories confined to 2020 and 2021. The single failure occurred on 14 May 2024, when the offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint was recorded as excessively worn under the major defect category, prompting a retest six days later on 20 May 2024 which passed with no advisories. Subsequent tests in May 2025 and 27 May 2026 both returned clean passes with no defects recorded. The defining mechanical takeaway is therefore the anti-roll bar linkage episode rather than any ongoing or recurring wear pattern, as no further suspension or steering defects have appeared on subsequent examinations. The recorded mileage equates to an average of roughly 5,499 miles per year over the vehicle's life, which is low for its age and class. MOT tests have been taken annually without any multi-year gaps, indicating continuous use and roadworthiness rather than long periods of standing. Lower annual mileage generally reduces wear on major drivetrain and exhaust components but does not eliminate age-related degradation of rubber, plastic, and static seals, and the relatively short annual accumulation can mean longer intervals between services during which oil degrades and brake fluid ages. For a prospective buyer, the offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint replacement noted in 2024 should be treated as a completed repair, but anti-roll bar drop links and their bushings are known to wear progressively on Nissan vehicles of this era, particularly on the front axle where they transmit the bulk of body roll forces. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over uneven surfaces, speed humps, and during direction changes, and feel for any looseness or vibration through the steering wheel that was not present when the vehicle was new. Given the recorded brake disc advisory from July 2021 noting front disc wear and pitting, the front discs and pads warrant physical inspection for lipping, surface corrosion, and pad material thickness, with attention to any judder under braking or pulling to one side which could indicate a binding caliper or uneven pad wear. The 2020 advisory for offside rear tyre damage or perishing was tyre-specific rather than a chassis concern, but aged tyres on a low-mileage vehicle can still exhibit sidewall cracking from UV exposure and prolonged static loading. Inspect both rear tyres closely for perishing, checking the sidewalls in particular, and confirm that replacements are of matching size and load rating. Beyond the items actually flagged in the MOT record, a thorough pre-purchase inspection should include a road test for any hesitation, uneven idle, or warning lights indicative of exhaust or catalyst degradation given the vehicle's age, together with a visual check for oil leaks from the engine and transmission seams, coolant leaks from hoses and the radiator, and corrosion in the common Nissan Note areas around the rear wheel arches, under the battery tray, and on suspension subframes. The MOT record itself is largely unremarkable, but the test drive and physical inspection remain essential given that MOT testing is a snapshot of safety-critical items rather than a comprehensive mechanical survey.