2017 Nissan Leaf Electric · LL66 GDF

The most recent DVSA MOT test for this 2017 Nissan Leaf was conducted on 28 January 2026 and resulted in a clean pass with no defects, advisories, or failures recorded. Looking back across the full five-year MOT history available, every annual test from January 2022 through to January 2026 has been completed with a pass and no recorded items, indicating a consistently stable and well-maintained trend with no emerging or recurring mechanical issues flagged by the examiner. The absence of advisories across consecutive tests is particularly reassuring on a vehicle of this age, as it suggests the prior keeper has addressed wear items proactively rather than allowing borderline components to be merely monitored from test to test. Overall, the official roadworthiness record presents a positive picture for a prospective buyer. In terms of recorded mileage, this Leaf has covered just 38,536 miles over approximately nine years, which equates to an average of around 4,280 miles per year. This is notably low annual usage for any passenger vehicle, and particularly so for an electric car which is otherwise inexpensive to run and often used for higher-mileage commuter or family duties. Such low mileage can reflect a number of ownership patterns, including occasional weekend use, second-car status, or extended periods of standing between journeys. While low mileage typically reduces wear on high-cost items such as suspension components, brake friction materials, and the electric drivetrain, it brings its own set of mechanical considerations related to underuse rather than overuse, which are addressed below. Given the clean MOT record combined with low annual mileage and the vehicle now being nine years old, a prospective buyer should place strong emphasis on time-based deterioration rather than purely mileage-based wear. Tyres on a low-use vehicle of this age are particularly susceptible to sidewall perishing and cracking from UV exposure and ozone, even if the tread depth remains legal; carefully inspect all four tyres for hairline cracks in the sidewall rubber and check the production date stamp on the sidewall, replacing any tyre over six years old as a matter of course. The 12V auxiliary battery, which powers ancillary systems rather than traction, should be load-tested as it is approaching the end of its typical service life and can cause starting and warning light issues if weak. Brake discs and calipers are also prone to corrosion from standing, so inspect the discs for significant surface rust, check that the caliper sliders are free and not binding, and verify that the handbrake holds firmly on an incline as seized rear caliper mechanisms are a common finding on low-mileage vehicles. Finally, although the Leaf has no combustion engine, it still relies on brake fluid, coolant for the battery and inverter thermal management system, and gearbox oil in the reduction drive, all of which degrade with calendar age rather than mileage. Confirm the service history shows brake fluid changes at least every two years and that the cooling system has been flushed and refilled at the recommended intervals, as degraded coolant can compromise battery longevity and inverter reliability. On a test drive, listen for any clonks or knocking from the suspension over bumps, which could indicate perished bushes or weak dampers from standing, and check for uneven tyre wear that might point to alignment issues. For the high-voltage traction battery specifically, request a state of health report from a Nissan dealer or specialist using diagnostic equipment such as LeafSpy, as the official MOT does not assess battery capacity and degradation is the single most important value consideration on any used Leaf. Ensure the charging cable and onboard charger function correctly on both AC and rapid DC connections if possible, and verify all the safety systems and infotainment features operate as expected.