2014 Nissan Leaf Electric · LS64 RBU

A single component failure is the defining mechanical event in this Nissan's recent history, but the surrounding test record shows the issue was resolved rather than ignored. At the 2023-08-04 examination the vehicle failed outright on two Major defects: a front service brake exhibiting excessive fluctuation and an offside front suspension arm ball joint that was excessively worn. Just eleven days later, on 2023-08-15, the car returned and passed with no advisories, indicating that both the brake system and the worn ball joint were addressed with appropriate repair or replacement work. Since that rectification the vehicle has passed twice more, in October 2025 and September 2024, with only minor tyre advisories recorded, and there has been no recurrence of suspension or brake-related defects. For a twelve-year-old electric vehicle this represents a reasonably tidy structural and safety record, though the buyer should not assume the earlier intervention was cosmetic; the front suspension and brake hardware on the Leaf are known to wear gradually, and the components replaced in 2023 will still have aged since. With 89,590 miles accumulated over twelve years, the vehicle averages roughly 7,466 miles per year, which is broadly in line with typical UK usage for an older family hatchback and well above the threshold where age-related degradation rather than mileage becomes the dominant concern. The MOT interval pattern is consistent with regular road use, with no multi-year gaps that would suggest prolonged standing, which is particularly relevant for a 2014-generation Leaf given that prolonged inactivity tends to accelerate high-voltage battery degradation. There is no evidence of mileage inconsistency between tests, and the annual accumulation appears steady rather than clustered, supporting the impression of continuous service rather than intermittent or commercial use. The combination of moderate mileage and twelve years on the road places the focus firmly on age-sensitive items such as rubber bushes, brake hydraulic seals, electrical connectors, and the underside corrosion that EVs in the UK frequently accumulate due to silent operation masking early underfloor issues. Given that the front suspension arm ball joint and front brake system were both replaced in 2023, the immediate priority on a pre-purchase inspection is to confirm those repairs remain sound and that no adjacent components have subsequently deteriorated. On a test drive, listen carefully for any clonking or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, which would suggest a worn or seized ball joint, top mount, or anti-roll bar link, and pay particular attention to steering precision as any vagueness or rattle through the front wheels could indicate bushes that have hardened with age. Inspect the inner and outer edges of both front tyres for uneven wear, as a camber or tracking issue stemming from a tired suspension link will scrub the shoulders rapidly, and verify that the nearside front tyre fitted at the 2025 test is not already approaching the legal tread limit again. The nearside rear tyre advisory for cracking and perishing in 2024 should also prompt a close look at sidewall condition on both rear tyres, as sidewall rubber on a car of this age deteriorates regardless of tread depth. Brake feel warrants close attention given the recorded fluctuation fault from 2023. During the test drive, apply the brakes firmly from around 30 mph and note any judder through the pedal or steering wheel, which would indicate warped or corroded front discs, and listen for any scraping or grinding that could point to worn pads or a sticking caliper, both of which are common on a Leaf that sees a mix of urban and motorway use where regenerative braking reduces pad wear on the rear axle but not the front. Check that the vehicle pulls up in a straight line without any steering pull, and confirm that the handbrake holds the car on an incline, as the electric parking brake actuator is known to require occasional re-calibration. Finally, given the age of the vehicle and the modest annual mileage, inspect the underbody thoroughly for surface corrosion, paying particular attention to the front subframe mounting points, suspension arms, brake pipes, and any exposed aluminium casting, as corrosion rather than mechanical wear tends to be the primary end-of-life factor for a 2014 Leaf in the UK climate.