2011 Nissan Note 1.6L Petrol · NJ61 NWC

The most recent MOT, conducted on 2 September 2025 at 81,949 miles, passed, but only after a failure on the same day. The initial failure flagged critical safety defects: a blown Nearside Front position lamp, an inoperative Nearside Rear stop lamp, and front brake pads worn below the 1.5 mm legal minimum. The fact that these were rectified and passed on the same day suggests reactive repairs rather than proactive maintenance. Several advisories persist across multiple years, indicating a stable but ageing vehicle with unresolved wear. The Nearside Front coil spring has been flagged as corroded since at least August 2024, and the Offside Front inner suspension arm bush and Nearside Front anti-roll bar ball joint have shown play since September 2025. These are not new failures, but their continued presence without repair suggests a pattern of deferring non-critical suspension work. The mileage profile tells a story of very light use. At roughly 5,463 miles per year over 15 years, this is well below the UK average. The gap between the October 2023 test at 73,310 miles and the August 2024 test at 75,092 miles shows just 1,782 miles covered in nearly a year. From August 2024 to September 2025, the car added 6,857 miles, a modest increase but still low annual accumulation. Such light, sporadic use can be a double-edged sword. Short trips and long periods of standing accelerate rubber perishing, brake disc corrosion, and suspension seizing, which aligns with the perished Offside Rear tyre and pitted front discs noted in the latest test. A buyer should pay close attention to the front suspension and corrosion points. The corroded Nearside Front coil spring is a structural concern, not merely cosmetic. A weakened spring can sag unpredictably, altering ride height and handling dynamics, and in severe cases, fracture under load. The worn Offside Front inner suspension arm bush and the slight play in the Nearside Front anti-roll bar ball joint, both flagged in September 2025, point to general front-end wear that will manifest as vague steering, knocking over bumps, or uneven tyre wear. These components have not been replaced despite being noted, so expect play to have progressed. The braking system demands immediate inspection. The September 2025 failure recorded front pads below 1.5 mm, and both front discs were described as worn, pitted, or scored. Pitting on disc edges indicates prolonged use with worn pads or contamination. Check whether the discs were replaced for the pass or merely left in service. The minor exhaust leak flagged in the same test could be a deteriorating flexi-joint or manifold gasket, common on ageing Nissans. Verify the transmission oil leak noted as non-excessive in 2025 has not worsened. Given the low mileage but deferred maintenance, this car needs a thorough mechanical inspection focused on front suspension integrity, brake component thickness, and the condition of that corroded coil spring before any purchase decision.