2017 Nissan Leaf Electric · FD17 AAY

A recurring theme of front-end wear runs through the MOT history of this 2017 Nissan Leaf, with both tyres and suspension components flagged on multiple occasions. The most recent test on 13 May 2026 resulted in a pass, but it carried advisories for a worn nearside front suspension arm pin or bush, slight play in the offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, perishing on both front tyres, and inner-edge wear on both front tyres bringing them close to the legal limit. On the same date, a fail was also recorded, caused by an insufficient windscreen washer supply, while the same advisory list was carried forward. The 2025 test cycle paints a similar picture: a fail on 28 March 2025 was triggered by excessively pitted nearside and offside front inner brake discs, combined with a Major for brake performance unable to be tested due to disc condition. The vehicle then passed on 2 April 2025 with the same brake-related issues now reduced to advisories, along with the suspension bush deterioration and front tyre inner-edge wear that would reappear in 2026. An earlier advisory from December 2023 noted pitted front brake disc inner faces, establishing a multi-year pattern of front-end component wear. With 44,332 miles recorded across nine years, this Leaf has averaged roughly 4,926 miles annually, which is low for the vehicle's age. The MOT record shows tests in December 2023, March 2025, and May 2026, with a gap of over fifteen months between the 2023 and 2025 tests, though mileage progression between these tests cannot be precisely verified from the records provided. Low annual mileage on an electric vehicle reduces wear on certain mechanical components such as the brake friction material, as regenerative braking handles much of the deceleration, but it does not prevent degradation of brake discs through surface corrosion, suspension bushes from age-related rubber deterioration, or tyres from perimeter cracking and uneven pressure-related wear. The pattern observed here, with brake disc pitting flagged in three consecutive tests and tyre and suspension advisories recurring, is consistent with a vehicle that has seen limited but consistent road use, allowing corrosion and rubber degradation to advance between test cycles. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the front suspension and steering components during a physical inspection. The nearside front suspension arm bush and the offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint should be checked for free play by rocking the wheel at the three and nine o'clock positions and pushing vertically at the tyre; any knocking, clunking, or visible movement felt through the wheel would suggest these advisories have progressed. On the test drive, listen for clonks or rattles from the front end over speed humps, uneven road surfaces, and kerb impacts, particularly from the nearside, and note any vagueness or vagueness through the steering centre that could indicate worn anti-roll bar components. Brake pedal feel should be assessed for judder or pulsation under firm application, which would confirm the brake disc pitting noted on both front inner discs, and the discs themselves should be visually inspected for a heavily corroded or lipped inner edge. Tyre condition is another priority given the recurring advisories for inner-edge wear and perishing on both front tyres. Uneven inner-edge wear on a front-wheel-drive vehicle often points to incorrect tracking, worn suspension bushes, or weak anti-roll bar linkages, all of which have been independently flagged in this MOT record. Request evidence of recent wheel alignment and inspect the sidewalls and tread face for cracking, especially in the grooves. Finally, given that the May 2026 test included a fail for insufficient washer fluid, confirm that the washer system operates correctly on both front and rear screens before purchase, and verify the resolution of that item was properly recorded at the subsequent test. The cumulative picture is of a vehicle with chronic but not catastrophic front-end wear that should be addressed promptly to prevent further deterioration.