2016 Nissan Note 1.2L Petrol · FD16 MLZ

A pattern of front-end wear emerges as the defining mechanical theme of this 2016 Nissan Note, with the front brake system and front tyres repeatedly flagged across the recorded MOT history. The most recent test on 2026-04-13 returned a clean pass with no defects recorded, but the 2025-04-09 dangerous failure for front brake pads worn below 1.5mm, paired with an advisory for pitted or scored front discs, indicates that the braking hardware on the front axle has reached a service threshold. Front tyre edge wear has also been a recurring concern, logged as advisories on both nearside and offside fronts in 2020 and again on the offside front in 2025, the latter measuring 2.8mm of remaining tread. Advisories on the nearside front brake pads wearing thin in 2024 and a front suspension arm bush on the nearside side in 2022 round out a picture of accumulated wear on the front suspension and braking assemblies rather than any structural or corrosion-related defect. Against a ten-year span, the recorded mileage of 49,807 miles equates to roughly 4,981 miles per year, which is low for the vehicle's age and suggests periods of either light use or extended standing. There are no notable multi-year testing gaps that would indicate a long off-road period, with annual tests consistently recorded from 2020 through 2026, implying the vehicle has remained in regular but infrequent use. Such low annual mileage typically results in less wear on drivetrain and major mechanical components but can accelerate degradation of items affected by standing still, such as brake discs corroding on the surface, tyre sidewall cracking (which has been flagged twice on rear examples), and rubber bushes stiffening or perishing. The rear tyre cracking advisories in 2021 and 2023 are consistent with age-related rubber deterioration rather than high-mileage wear, and the recurring nail-in-tyre advisories suggest the car sees enough road use to pick up debris but not enough to mask sidewall ageing. For a prospective buyer, the priority mechanical checks should centre on the front braking system given its recent dangerous-level failure and disc condition advisory. On a test drive, listen for any grinding or scraping from the front calipers on light application, feel for pulsation through the brake pedal that would indicate the scored discs have now warped, and check that the car pulls up squarely without steering pull. Inspect the front brake pads through the wheel spokes for remaining material and look at the disc faces for a pronounced lip or rust ridging. The front suspension bushes flagged in 2022 warrant attention too; with the vehicle stationary, have someone gently rock the front of the car while you watch for play at the inner pivot of the front lower arm, and on the road, listen for clonking or knocking over uneven surfaces that would indicate the bush has deteriorated further. The recurring front tyre edge wear is also worth examining, as uneven shoulder wear can point to misalignment of the front geometry, incorrect camber, or worn suspension components allowing the wheel to track out of true under load. Finally, the rear tyres should be scrutinised for sidewall cracking and perishing, which was flagged in three consecutive tests between 2021 and 2023, as aged sidewall rubber can fail suddenly even when tread depth remains adequate. Confirm that replacement tyres have been fitted since the 2023 advisory and check the sidewalls closely for hairline cracks, particularly on any tyres that may be original equipment or several years old. A thorough road test should also include firm braking from higher speed to confirm straight-line stability and check for any abs cycling irregularities, as well as a visual inspection underneath the vehicle for any signs of fluid weeping from the front calipers or brake flex hoses, which on a low-mileage car of this age are more likely to seize or corrode internally than wear out through use. Overall, the MOT record shows a vehicle that has not suffered any structural or corrosion failures but does carry a documented history of front-end mechanical wear that any buyer should verify has been fully rectified before purchase.