2021 Nissan Leaf E + N-Connecta Electric · LS21 GHA

A consistent run of clean MOT passes from 2024 and 2025, culminating in another pass recorded on 12 March 2026 with no advisories or defects, establishes this Nissan Leaf as a mechanically sound proposition on the official testing record. The only blemish in an otherwise tidy history is a failure logged on 2 August 2023, although no defect categories were captured against that entry, meaning the precise reason for the refusal cannot be determined from the DVSA data alone. What is clear is that the vehicle has subsequently passed three consecutive annual tests without any advisory items, suggesting that whatever prompted the earlier failure was rectified and has not reappeared as a recurrent concern. For a five-year-old electric vehicle, a clean sheet of advisories across the most recent inspections points to well-maintained brakes, suspension, tyres, and lighting, all of which the MOT examination scrutinises directly. With 26,774 miles recorded against an age of roughly five years, this Leaf has covered an average of around 5,350 miles per year, which is notably below the typical annual mileage for a privately owned family hatchback. Such restrained use tends to be kinder to high-wear consumables like friction materials and tyres, but it can also mean extended periods of stationary storage, which is worth factoring in given the vehicle type. The MOT history itself does not reveal any prolonged testing gaps; tests were conducted in August 2023, March 2024, March 2025, and March 2026, indicating the car has been in regular use and presented for inspection annually without lengthy absences from the road. This consistency in testing cadence, combined with low mileage, suggests the vehicle has not been left dormant for multi-year stretches, which is reassuring for both the traction battery conditioning and the conventional mechanical components. Because the official record carries no advisories, there are no specific components flagged for a prospective buyer to investigate. However, on a physical inspection and test drive, particular attention should be paid to the items that typically draw advisory comments on EVs of this age. The brake discs and pads should be examined for surface corrosion and wear, as regenerative braking means the friction brakes are used infrequently and can seize or develop lipping. On the road, listen for any binding, grabbing, or pulling under light braking, and feel for a stiff or uneven pedal. The suspension should be assessed by pushing down on each corner and releasing to check for excessive bounce, then driving over uneven surfaces to detect knocking from worn bushes, top mount bearings, or droplink play, particularly given the known sensitivity of the Leaf's rear suspension geometry to age-related deterioration. The tyres should also be inspected for even shoulder wear across both axles, as uneven tracking can develop from worn suspension components and misalignment, and the sidewalls should be checked for any cracking or ozone damage from low-mileage use. Given the electric drivetrain, the test drive should include a careful evaluation of the traction system: listen for any unusual whine, clunk, or vibration from the front axle under acceleration and deceleration, and confirm that the regenerative braking function operates smoothly across its selectable levels. Steering response should be precise without vibration through the wheel, and the vehicle should track straight without pulling under braking. Finally, the charging port, onboard charger function, and any warning messages on the dashboard should be verified during a static check, as these elements fall outside the MOT scope but are critical to the operational integrity of any used Leaf.