2007 Nissan Note 1.6L Petrol · KB07 USF

The most recent DVSA examination on 30 December 2025 resulted in a PASS, but it was accompanied by five advisories covering oil leakage, front brake disc wear, an offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit and on its edge, slight play in both front track rod end ball joints, and a worn nearside front suspension arm pin or bush. Reviewing the trajectory across the last four recorded tests, the maintenance trend is clearly worsening rather than stable. The 2024 test carried advisories for thinning front brake pads, pitted front discs, oil leakage, and bilateral track rod end play, while the December 2024 retest following a failure escalated matters with a major defect for an excessively worn nearside front suspension arm pin or bush alongside shock absorber casing damage. The same advisories have simply carried forward and accumulated rather than being addressed, which is a common pattern with older, high-mileage vehicles where owners elect to pass tests on borderline components until something finally fails outright. Any prospective buyer should treat the current advisory list as a forecast of imminent expenditure rather than a clean bill of health. Recorded mileage stands at 153,715 miles on a 2007 vehicle, equating to roughly 8,090 miles per year over its nineteen-year life. This is broadly consistent with typical average usage for a car of its age and indicates the vehicle has been used regularly rather than left standing for prolonged periods. There are no significant gaps in the MOT record or sudden jumps in annual mileage that would suggest clock irregularities or sporadic use, so the odometer reading is likely a true reflection of mechanical wear. At this accumulated mileage, the engine, transmission, and drivetrain components will have experienced considerable cumulative stress, and consumables such as clutches, timing chains, and engine mountings are likely approaching the latter stages of their serviceable life even though they do not form part of the MOT inspection. The recurring advisories for oil leakage, if unaddressed for two or more years, warrant close attention because seals and gaskets deteriorate progressively and what begins as a minor weep can escalate into a substantial leak that depletes engine oil and risks component damage. On a test drive, listen for any irregular engine noises, particularly on startup when hydraulic oil pressure is at its lowest, and inspect the underside and engine bay for fresh oil residue or staining on the sump, cam covers, or from the valve cover gasket. The brake-related advisories are equally significant: the front discs were noted as worn and pitted in 2024 and merely worn in 2025, indicating ongoing pad and disc wear. When test driving, listen for any brake squeal or grinding, feel for shudder through the steering wheel under firm braking, and verify the vehicle pulls straight without pulling to one side, which could indicate uneven pad wear or a binding caliper. Given the age, a full brake disc and pad replacement on the front axle is a realistic near-term cost. The steering and suspension advisories represent the most safety-critical items on this report and should be prioritised in any pre-purchase inspection. The track rod end ball joint play has been noted on both sides across consecutive tests, and while still within advisory limits, worn ball joints progressively loosen and can eventually separate, causing sudden loss of steering control. The nearside front suspension arm pin or bush, which escalated to a major defect in December 2024, remains flagged and is a known wear point on Nissan Notes of this generation. On a test drive, listen carefully for clonking or knocking noises from the front end, particularly when traversing speed humps, potholes, or uneven surfaces, and check for uneven tyre wear across both front tyres, which would confirm poor alignment or worn suspension geometry. Beyond the advisories, the vehicle's age also demands a broader inspection for age-related deterioration including perished or cracked tyre sidewalls even where tread depth remains legal, brake disc surface corrosion from standing, twelve-volt battery health and load test results, the condition of all underbonnet hoses and coolant expansion tank for brittleness, and verification that the timing chain, coolant, and automatic or manual transmission fluid have been serviced in line with calendar intervals rather than purely by mileage. Confirmation of a comprehensive service history with documented cambelt or timing chain replacement and recent fluid changes would substantially strengthen buyer confidence in this otherwise mechanically tired nineteen-year-old example.