2010 Nissan NV200 1.5L Diesel · LG10 NNU

This 2010 Nissan NV200 presents a mechanical profile that should give a prospective buyer pause, particularly regarding its suspension and tyre condition. Across seven recorded MOT tests since 2017, the vehicle has accumulated two failures with dangerous or major defect categories and three additional advisories, indicating recurring rather than isolated issues. The most recent test on 28 January 2022 was a pass with no defects recorded, which is a positive endpoint, but it immediately followed a failure just one week earlier on 21 January 2022 that flagged excessively worn anti-roll bar linkage ball joints on both rear sides and suspension arm ball joints on both front lower arms, alongside an inoperative reversing lamp. The fact that the vehicle passed an MOT only seven days after failing on three major items suggests either a focused repair was undertaken or that the work was completed specifically to clear the test, rather than reflecting an underlying pattern of proactive maintenance. Earlier, on 2 December 2020, a dangerous failure was recorded for both front tyres falling below the 1.6mm legal tread limit simultaneously, which is a serious roadworthiness concern at any mileage. With 180,295 miles on the odometer across roughly 16 years of age, this NV200 has averaged approximately 11,268 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a working commercial vehicle of this type and era. There are notable gaps in the testing record, including a stretch from November 2017 through November 2018, and another between late 2019 and late 2020, suggesting either periods off the road or administrative lapses in retesting. The mileage accumulation combined with the component failures points to a vehicle that has seen consistent operational use, particularly on urban or delivery cycles where suspension components and tyres endure significant stress from kerbing, potholes, and frequent low-speed manoeuvres. At this mileage, even items not yet flagged in advisories such as coil springs, brake discs, and exhaust mounting points will be approaching the typical wear thresholds for a commercial-duty van. Given the documented suspension wear, a prospective buyer should treat the front lower wishbones, rear anti-roll bar links, and their associated ball joints as the highest priority items for physical inspection. On a test drive, listen carefully for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, particularly during full steering lock, and feel for any vagueness or slack in the steering response that could indicate worn inner or outer track rod ends. The rear should be checked for similar knocking, particularly when cornering or crossing undulations, as anti-roll bar link failure often presents as a metallic rattle rather than a structural clunk. Inspect all four tyres for uneven shoulder wear, which on a high-mileage front-driven van commonly points to misalignment following suspension component replacement, and verify the reversing lamp is functional as it was flagged inoperative on the January 2022 failure. The brake system warrants attention as the January 2022 test included an advisory for fluctuating service brake performance across all brakes, which on a vehicle of this mileage can indicate unevenly worn discs, sticking caliper slides, or a failing brake master cylinder. On a test drive, expect a firm pedal with no excessive travel or sponginess, and check for any pulling to one side under moderate braking that could confirm a binding caliper. The seat belt buckle and stalk advisories from 2022 and 2017 respectively suggest a pattern of minor interior trim wear, so verify both the driver and passenger buckles latch firmly and release cleanly, and confirm the flexible stalks on the belts show no fraying or splitting near the upper mounting point. Finally, given that the dangerous tyre failure occurred on both fronts simultaneously, examine the current tread depths carefully and consider that a van of this age and mileage may be due for replacement brake discs and pads regardless of whether they were flagged, as wear items of this nature typically reach their service interval around the 150,000 to 200,000 mile mark for commercial use.