2010 Nissan Note 1.6L Petrol · LM60 PTY

A pattern of small electrical defects and intermittent front suspension wear dominates the roadworthiness profile of this 2010 Nissan Note, with three of the six recorded MOT tests resulting in failure, though it must be noted that each failure was addressed swiftly enough to secure a pass on the same inspection day. The most recent test on 22 June 2026 fell into this familiar sequence, initially failing on inoperative registration plate lamps and split or ineffective front windscreen wiper blades, before passing later the same day with advisories covering a deteriorated rear wiper blade, a minor exhaust gas leak from a corroded rear back box, and nearside front suspension arm pin or bush wear not yet resulting in excessive movement. Two years earlier, on 20 June 2024, the car failed on another set of non-functioning front and registration plate lamps compounded by a fractured nearside rear coil spring, while the 17 June 2025 test followed the same pattern with multiple non-working position lamps and stop lamps recorded as PRF (present but failed) items before a same-day pass. Across this span, only the 2021 and 2022 tests returned completely clean advisories, so the broader trajectory is one of persistent but minor lighting and wiper defects layered over gradually developing chassis and suspension wear. Recorded mileage of 95,308 against a sixteen-year age equates to roughly 5,957 miles annually, which is below average for a car of this vintage and suggests either genuinely light use or extended periods of inactivity. The test gaps are informative in this respect: there is no recorded MOT between October 2021 and June 2024, a span of nearly three years during which no advisory or mileage evidence exists in the DVSA file, which is consistent with the vehicle being off the road or unused for a substantial interval. The mileage jump between the 2021 and 2024 tests cannot be quantified from the data provided, but the absence of intermediate tests means suspension, braking, and underbody condition may not have been independently inspected during that window. Low annual mileage reduces wear on major drivetrain components but increases the likelihood of dried rubber seals, oxidised brake components, and flat-spotted or aged tyres, particularly after multi-year lay-ups. The fracture of the nearside rear coil spring recorded on the 2024 MOT failure is a significant structural flag, as broken coil springs typically require immediate replacement and signal either end-of-life fatigue or aggressive use over speed humps and potholed roads. The 2025 advisory for a rough nearside front MacPherson strut top mounting and the 2026 advisory for worn nearside front suspension arm pin or bush together indicate the front suspension is now an area of progressive concern, even though movement has not yet been judged excessive. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed bumps, uneven road surfaces, and kerb transitions, and pay particular attention to any knocking that worsens during low-speed steering inputs, which would indicate the worn bush has progressed. Check for uneven tyre wear across the front axle, as the combination of a degraded strut top and worn lower arm bush commonly produces inner shoulder wear patterns, and inspect the nearside rear wheel arch for any sag or reduced ride height that might suggest further coil spring deterioration since the replacement in 2024. A firm bounce test at each corner, pressing down firmly and releasing, should see the body settle immediately without continuing oscillation. The lighting defects that have triggered three of the three recorded failures are consistently trivial in nature, involving failed bulbs in registration plate lamps, front position lamps, rear position lamps, and stop lamps, all of which are owner-serviceable items rather than indicators of deeper electrical or wiring faults. Nevertheless, their recurrence across consecutive years warrants verification that the underlying bulb holders and earth points are not corroded, as moisture ingress in the lamp units is a common cause of repeated bulb failure on vehicles of this age. The 2026 exhaust advisory for a minor gas leak from the rear back box outer skin points to surface corrosion rather than an active hole, but the back box should be tapped with a rubber mallet during inspection to check for thin, perforated metal, and the joint between the back box and intermediate pipe examined for soot staining. The slight nearside rear outer tyre sidewall damage noted in 2025 should be carefully re-examined, as sidewall damage can propagate into a bulge under load and any distortion, cracking, or raised area visible on inspection should be treated as grounds for immediate replacement.