2016 Nissan Note 1.2L Petrol · KX66 LAE

The Nissan Note passed its most recent MOT test on 29 April 2026, with a single advisory raised against the nearside front tyre, which was recorded as worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge. The overall maintenance trend is best described as stable but with a pattern of recurring advisories across recent years. The vehicle has not failed any test in the recorded history, which is reassuring, but the same items keep appearing: front tyre wear and condition, front suspension arm bushes, and tyre perishing. This kind of repetition suggests that certain consumable and chassis components are either being addressed only at MOT time rather than proactively serviced, or that the vehicle's operating environment is exposing it to accelerated wear on those particular items. A buyer should treat this as a generally healthy platform with predictable, recurring upkeep requirements rather than a vehicle showing sudden deterioration. The recorded mileage of 33,889 against a 2016 registration equates to an annual average of roughly 3,389 miles, which is exceptionally low for the age of the car. At this rate the vehicle has covered fewer miles than the typical commuter car accumulates in a single year, meaning much of its life will have been spent either on short journeys or sitting unused. Low annual mileage does not necessarily preserve a car in perfect condition. Stop-start use is harder on cold-start components than steady motorway running, and long periods of standing can bring their own problems. The absence of any large mileage jumps or unexplained gaps in the record is itself a positive indicator, suggesting a consistent ownership pattern, but the buyer should be alert to the consequences of underuse as well as overwork. Given the recurring front suspension arm bush advisories from the 2025 test, this is the area that demands the closest physical inspection. The bushes concerned are wearing but have not yet permitted excessive movement, which means they are at the stage where they will begin to affect refinement and handling before they fail the test. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front end over speed humps, uneven road surfaces, and during slow direction changes such as pulling away from a kerb or turning into a driveway. Push down on each front corner with the vehicle stationary and check that it rebounds cleanly without a secondary oscillation, which would suggest weakened dampers. Have the front suspension arms physically inspected by placing the car on a ramp, as visual checks underneath will confirm whether the inner or outer bushes have cracked, split, or separated from the arm, and whether any play exists at the joints. Replacement bushes are not particularly costly but the labour access on the front subframe can make fitting them a moderately involved job, so obtaining a quotation in advance is sensible. The recurring tyre condition advisories across multiple tests are consistent with low-mileage, older-vehicle use, where sidewall rubber hardens and perishes from age rather than wearing down through use. Even tyres with adequate tread depth can fail catastrophically through sidewall cracking on a ten-year-old car, so every tyre should be physically inspected for hairline splits in the sidewall and between the tread grooves before purchase. The nearside front edge wear noted in both 2022 and 2026 suggests either a persistent alignment issue or a component such as a worn bush, tie rod end, or strut top allowing toe misalignment, so a four-wheel alignment check would be worthwhile alongside any suspension work. Beyond the recorded items, a car of this age and usage profile requires attention to time-based servicing regardless of low mileage. The brake fluid should have been renewed within the last two to three years because it is hygroscopic and degrades with calendar age, which can lead to corrosion inside brake calipers, particularly if the car has stood for long periods. The 12V battery should be load-tested, as short trips and long standing both shorten battery life and a ten-year-old original unit would be well beyond its service life. Engine oil and coolant should be checked for condition and age, the coolant should be tested for concentration to confirm adequate corrosion protection, and the exhaust system should be inspected for rust at the mounting brackets, flexi section, and rear silencer where age-related corrosion commonly occurs on vehicles kept outdoors. Finally, the TPMS warning noted in 2023 should be checked to confirm it has been resolved, as unresolved tyre pressure monitoring faults may indicate a failing sensor, which is an inexpensive but easily overlooked replacement.