2003 Nissan Almera 1.5L Petrol · LS03 OOY

A picture of accumulated, low-mileage wear rather than outright component failure emerges from this Almera's MOT history, with every annual test since 2022 returning a pass but accumulating a thickening layer of advisories that centre on the front braking system, the nearside rear suspension mounting area, and a persistent minor oil leak. The most recent examination on 3 January 2026 was again a pass, but the front brake discs were again noted as worn, the nearside rear outer suspension mounting area on the sill was again flagged as corroded though not yet excessive, and the oil leak advisory reappeared for the fourth consecutive year. Reviewing the sequence in reverse shows this is a stable but slowly worsening trend rather than an improving one, with the same items reappearing test after test and a binding offside front caliper noted in late 2023 still likely lurking within the system given the persistent disc wear scoring. There are no outright failures or dangerous defects on record, but the advisories are chronic and concentrated in areas that often dictate the next significant expenditure on a vehicle of this age. At 79,437 miles across roughly 23 years, this Almera has covered only about 3,450 miles annually, a figure that sits well below the typical usage rate for a family hatchback of its era and points to either very light running or extended periods of inactivity. There are no extended gaps in the MOT record to suggest a long off-road lay-up, so the low figure is more likely reflective of genuine light use than storage-related deterioration, though light running brings its own consequences for consumables such as brakes, where prolonged low-speed or short-journey use encourages corrosion of the discs and binding of the caliper slides. A mileage check at the point of sale is therefore essential, not only to confirm the odometer reading but to verify whether the relatively low figure genuinely reflects gentle use rather than a replaced or disconnected unit. For the front braking system, the buyer should carry out a focused inspection at the test drive stage. The recurring advisories for pitted and scored front discs and the binding both-fronts calipers noted in 2023 suggest the discs have been on a slow path towards replacement and the calipers may have sticking slider pins. On the road, listen for any scraping or grinding as the brakes are released, feel for a pulling bias to one side under moderate braking that would indicate the offside caliper is still binding, and check from cold whether the first firm pedal application feels uneven. The handbrake should hold the car on a modest incline without creeping, and the front wheels should spin freely by hand when jacked with the caliper released if possible. Given the binding advisory from 2023, a caliper strip, clean, and re-grease is reasonable preventative work, and the discs are likely approaching the minimum thickness on a re-test in the near future. The chassis and underbody items warrant equally close scrutiny given the recurring advisories on the nearside rear outer suspension mounting area on the sill. This is the same defect repeated across four consecutive tests, and although it has not yet been classified as excessive, it is the kind of corrosion that progresses steadily on a 23-year-old shell, particularly in areas where road salt and moisture collect. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocking from the rear over uneven surfaces, check whether the body feels loose or shudders over speed humps, and inspect the sill and suspension turret areas on a ramp or with a torch for any perforation or flaking that goes beyond surface corrosion. The nearside front shock absorber light misting noted in 2025 is a relatively minor finding but should be checked for any progression to a heavier oil weep. Finally, the persistent oil leak advisory for four years running, combined with the minor exhaust gas leak noted in 2025, should be investigated on a ramp to identify the source; an engine oil leak left unresolved can mask its own severity, and a blemish test plus undertray inspection are worthwhile before purchase.