2009 Nissan Note 1.6L Petrol · LO09 FDG

A pattern of entirely clean MOT results defines this 2009 Nissan Note, with each annual test from 2023 through to January 2026 returning a pass and no advisories whatsoever, and even the one failure recorded on 19 March 2025 (immediately followed by a pass on the same date) showing no recorded defects. That double entry on the same day strongly suggests a minor issue was identified and rectified before the re-test was conducted within hours rather than indicating any persistent mechanical fault. Across five tests covering the most recent three years of the vehicle's life, the absence of any flagged wear items, corrosion, or component deterioration points to a consistent record of roadworthiness with no recurring advisories building up to suggest an underlying mechanical issue waiting to surface. Given that a car of this age and model would typically begin showing advisories relating to corroded brake pipes, worn suspension bushes, or exhaust deterioration by its mid-teens, the complete lack of advisories is notable and reflects either very light wear or recent remedial attention before test. At 92,480 miles over roughly seventeen years, this Nissan Note has averaged around 5,440 miles per year, which sits well below the typical annual accumulation for a car of this vintage and is consistent with second-car, urban shopping, or short-commute usage rather than long motorway mileage. The annual test gaps are regular and unbroken, indicating the vehicle has remained in continuous use and on the road throughout the recorded period, with no extended lay-up that would risk dried seals, seized brakes, or battery degradation. This kind of low-but-consistent mileage tends to preserve major mechanical components such as the engine, transmission, and clutch, while placing greater relative wear on items that degrade with age regardless of distance covered, including rubber bushes, flexible brake hoses, and coolant hoses. The recorded mileage progression across tests is steady rather than spiking, which supports the impression of regular, modest use without any sudden long-distance journeys that might have masked developing faults. For a prospective buyer, the absence of any advisory history means there are no specific flagged components to prioritise, but the age of the vehicle alone warrants a careful physical inspection in areas commonly affected on Nissan vehicles of this generation. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which would indicate worn anti-roll bar bushes, drop links, or strut top mount bearings; the Nissan Note is particularly known for premature wear in these areas. Feel for any pulling under braking or a soft, spongy pedal, which could suggest corroded brake lines or sticking calipers given the car's age and the typical UK climate exposure, even though no such advisories have yet been recorded. Inspect the underside closely for any surface corrosion on the subframe, suspension arms, and around the rear axle, paying attention to brake pipe runs along the chassis rails where corrosion often initiates unseen. Beyond the suspension and braking components, particular attention should be paid to the condition of the exhaust system, particularly the front pipe and centre section where corrosion typically initiates from the inside out and would not necessarily have been flagged unless a tester specifically looked for it during a recent MOT. Check for any signs of oil misting around the cam cover and sump gasket, as these gaskets harden with age on higher-mileage Nissan engines regardless of overall condition. Verify that the cooling system is in good order by checking for any sweet smell from under the bonnet or any residue around the header tank, as the original radiator and hoses on a seventeen-year-old vehicle will be approaching the end of their service life. Finally, confirm that all electrical systems function correctly, particularly the central locking, electric windows, and the air conditioning compressor clutch, as these are common failure points on the Note and would not be captured within the MOT test scope itself. A pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar with Nissan vehicles would be a sensible precaution to verify that the clean MOT record genuinely reflects the underlying mechanical condition rather than simply recent pre-test preparation.