2010 Nissan Note 1.5L Diesel · LL10 VFR

The most recent MOT on 30 March 2026 was passed, albeit with a minor headlamp lens defect and several advisories covering a modest oil leak, a deteriorating rear registration plate and a fluctuating front service brake. Over the past six years the vehicle has alternated between passes and failures, with major failures recorded in mid‑2024 for an out‑of‑adjustment headlamp, an unsafe track‑rod end and a defective nearside mirror, and earlier failures for a non‑functioning plate lamp and ineffective windscreen wipers. Although the latest test shows the car currently meets the legal standards, the recurrence of oil‑leak advisories, brake‑disc wear notes and tyre‑condition alerts indicates that the maintenance record is mixed rather than consistently improving. At 130 021 mi the car averages just over 8 000 mi per year, a usage pattern that sits squarely within the normal range for a 2010 model. There are no obvious periods of extreme mileage accumulation that would suggest severe wear spikes, but the steady annual mileage also means that wear items such as suspension bushings, steering joints and brake components have been subjected to a typical load over a long service life. Consequently, age‑related degradation is likely to be as significant as mileage‑related wear. A prospective buyer should give particular attention to the persistent oil leak noted on every MOT since 2021; locate the source – whether a valve‑cover gasket, oil filter housing or oil pan – and verify that the leak is not excessive, that oil levels remain stable and that there are no signs of oil on the exhaust or under the engine. The front brake discs have been flagged repeatedly as pitted and scored, so a visual inspection for deep scoring, rust or uneven wear is essential, and the discs may need resurfacing or replacement in the near term. The front‑track rod end was declared unsafe in 2021 and again modified improperly in 2024; on a test drive feel for any play or clunk when turning the wheel, and inspect the ball joints and tie‑rod ends for looseness or corrosion. The nearside obligatory mirror remains insecure and the off‑side headlamp aim is still out of tolerance, so ensure the mirror can be adjusted to give a clear rear view and that the headlamp beams are correctly aligned, checking both low‑ and high‑beam illumination. Finally, examine the tyre condition closely: the nearside front tyre has shown cracking and a cut that, while not yet through the ply, may be approaching the end of its service life, and the rear plate’s mounting bracket is deteriorating. Verify tread depth on all four tyres, look for sidewall perishing that can occur after six or more years even on low‑mileage tyres, and confirm that the wheel bearings are quiet. Confirm that the windscreen wipers now clear the glass effectively, that the registration plate lamp illuminates fully, and that the exhaust system shows no rust holes or loud rattles. Given the vehicle’s age, a thorough check of the 12 V battery mounting, charge state and electrolyte level, as well as a calendar‑based service of coolant, brake fluid and engine oil, will help ensure that hidden time‑based decay does not surprise the new owner.