2016 Nissan Navara 2.3L Diesel · NG66 VKB

A largely clean MOT record is undermined by a serious front brake failure and a fault code warning, both of which occurred during the most recent annual test in April 2024. The 2024 test resulted in a Dangerous defect for front brake pads worn below 1.5 mm, the absolute minimum legal threshold, alongside an advisory noting light oil misting on the nearside rear shock absorber. Although the 2025 and 2026 tests both returned clean passes with no advisories or failures, the brake defect alone warrants close scrutiny: pads at that level of wear imply the discs were likely also at the end of their service life, and any subsequent replacement should be verified with documentation. The Engine MIL inoperative warning recorded as a failure on the same day as the 2025 pass is a separate concern, as it indicates the malfunction indicator lamp itself was not illuminating on ignition, meaning any active engine management fault would not have been visible to the driver. With 75,055 miles accumulated over ten years, the vehicle is running at roughly 7,500 miles annually, a rate that sits comfortably within typical parameters for a working-class pickup of this age. There are no extended gaps in the MOT history suggesting long periods off the road, and the steady year-on-year accumulation points to consistent, moderate use rather than heavy commercial duty or prolonged lay-up. Mechanically, this mileage band means consumables such as brake components, tyres, and suspension linkages will have experienced normal progressive wear, but the drivetrain, clutch, and major assemblies should not yet be considered end-of-life items. For a prospective buyer, the front brake system is the priority inspection point despite the clean 2025 and 2026 passes. Request evidence of the brake pad and disc replacement carried out after the April 2024 failure, and visually inspect the calipers for binding or uneven pad wear, as caliper guide pins can seize on vehicles that have been lightly used between services. During a test drive, listen for any scraping or grinding under moderate braking and check for pedal pulsation, which would indicate disc runout or hot spotting from worn pads left too long against the disc surface. Pay particular attention to the nearside rear shock absorber for any return of oil seepage; on the road, push down firmly on each rear corner and release, counting the number of oscillations before the body settles, with more than two rebounds suggesting the damper has lost its hydraulic damping capability. The rear shock advisory and brake components flagged in the previous test should also prompt a check of the wider undercarriage, given that Navara chassis and suspension arms are known to suffer corrosion around the rear spring hangers and subframe mounting points. On a road test, listen for clonking or knocking over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which would point to worn anti-roll bar bushes, trailing arm bushes, or top mounts. Finally, because the MIL lamp itself was recorded as inoperative at the 2025 test, it is essential to verify that the lamp now illuminates correctly on ignition before driving away, and to scan the engine management system for any stored fault codes relating to emissions, sensors, or DPF performance if fitted, as an illuminated warning light would not have been possible to detect previously.