2015 Nissan Note 1.2L Petrol · FH65 HXM

A clear pattern of chronic front suspension and under-bonnet wear emerges from the MOT history of this 2015 Nissan Note, with the most recent test on 19 September 2025 passing but continuing to flag a recurring nearside front suspension arm ball joint with slight play, an item noted identically on the previous pass in October 2024. The lower arm inner front bush was first flagged as deteriorating in September 2023, with the offside inner bushes also deteriorating at the same test, suggesting progressive wear across both front lower arms rather than an isolated component issue. A near-constant velocity boot on the nearside front inner drive shaft joint was classed as severely deteriorated in 2024, having previously been noted as merely worn in 2020, indicating a part that has not been addressed and is at risk of splitting fully, which would allow grease loss and contaminant ingress into the joint. Tyre-related advisories have appeared across multiple years, with inner-edge and shoulder wear down to 2 to 2.5mm flagged in 2022 and 2025, alongside cracking and perishing on sidewalls, a typical symptom of aged rubber regardless of tread depth. The vehicle has passed every recorded test without any failure, but the accumulating advisories point to front-end mechanical components and tyres that are reaching the end of their effective service life. Recorded mileage of 54,846 miles across an eleven-year-old car equates to roughly 4,986 miles per year, a notably low annual accumulation for a vehicle of this age and consistent with the gaps visible in the testing record, with eight MOT entries spread from late 2018 through late 2025. The mileage progression between tests is gradual rather than abrupt, supporting a usage profile of short, infrequent journeys rather than regular motorway commuting. Mechanically, this lower usage has likely reduced wear on major drivetrain components such as the engine, clutch, and rear brakes, but it places greater demand on items that degrade through age and standing rather than mileage, including rubber boots, suspension bushes, tyre sidewalls, brake fluid, and the 12V battery. Front tyres showing inner-edge wear and cracking on a low-mileage car strongly suggests the wheels have been running on under-inflated tyres or that the front geometry has been pulled off by the deteriorating bushes rather than simply wearing through use. A prospective buyer should prioritise a physical inspection of the front suspension, as the advisories indicate ongoing deterioration rather than a one-off observation. On test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over bumps and on full lock, particularly from the nearside where the ball joint play has been recorded twice; excessive looseness will often present as a vague, wandering steering feel rather than a precise turn-in. The lower arm inner bushes flagged in 2023 should be checked visually for cracking, separation from the metal casing, or visible movement when the wheel is levered with a pry bar, as worn bushes allow the wheel to toe out under acceleration and can produce uneven inner-edge tyre wear, exactly as recorded on this vehicle. The nearside front inner CV boot should be inspected for splits, grease loss, or flinging at the inboard joint, with the test drive including tight circles at low speed to listen for clicking or popping that would indicate the joint itself has been contaminated. The tyres themselves warrant close scrutiny, particularly the fronts, where inner-edge wear to 2.5mm has been recorded and sidewall cracking was noted in 2022; budget for a full set if the existing rubber is more than six years old, checking the DOT date stamp on the sidewall as cracking typically accelerates from around the five-year mark regardless of remaining tread. Brake feel should be assessed for a spongy pedal or excessive travel, which on a low-mileage car often points to aged fluid rather than worn pads, and the handbrake should hold firmly on a slope as the rear brakes may be corroded from infrequent use. Finally, with the vehicle having stood for periods between tests, verify that the cooling system has been refreshed, check for coolant leaks at the hoses and radiator, and confirm the air conditioning functions correctly, as low usage frequently allows seals to dry out and refrigerant to escape.