2016 Nissan Navara 2.3L Diesel · OO12 DMS

The most recent DVSA examination on 27 May 2026 resulted in a Pass, although two advisories were issued that warrant careful attention from a prospective buyer. The first advisory noted that the front brake pads are wearing thin, while the second recorded slight play in the offside front suspension arm ball joint. When reviewing the broader test history, the maintenance trend is broadly stable but with a notable degradation in the front suspension assembly. A clean run of passes from 2020 through 2023 was interrupted in 2024 by an advisory for light oil misting on the nearside front shock absorber. By May 2025, this condition had deteriorated into a major failure due to a serious fluid leak from the same component, requiring rectification before a subsequent pass was issued. The recurrence of suspension advisories in successive years suggests that the front end has been undergoing progressive wear rather than a one-off isolated incident. With a recorded mileage of 85,333 miles over a ten-year service life, this Nissan Navara has covered approximately 8,533 miles annually, which sits comfortably within typical expectations for a working or privately used vehicle of this age. There are no significant gaps in annual mileage between MOT entries, indicating consistent usage rather than extended periods of standing. This regular accumulation is mechanically beneficial in some respects, as it reduces the likelihood of severe corrosion from disuse, seized brake calipers, and deteriorated fluid systems. However, the mileage also confirms that consumable components such as brakes, tyres, and drivetrain mounts have experienced steady wear, and with the vehicle now approaching its eleventh year, calendar-based degradation of rubber and electrical components should still be expected regardless of the reasonable annual figure. Given the advisories recorded on the latest test, a prospective buyer should prioritise a physical inspection of the front braking system and the front suspension geometry. The advisory on the front brake pads indicates they are nearing the end of their useful life, so the discs should be checked for corresponding wear, lipping on the outer edge, or surface scoring that might necessitate replacement alongside the pads. On the test drive, listen for any brake shudder under firm application and ensure the vehicle pulls evenly to a stop without vibration through the pedal. The offside front suspension arm ball joint should be assessed for any worsening play, as this component influences steering precision and tyre wear patterns. With the nearside front shock absorber having previously failed for a serious fluid leak, it is prudent to inspect both front dampers for fresh oil seepage, and on the road, listen for clonking or knocking noises over uneven surfaces, as well as any excessive nose dive under braking or continued oscillation after compressing the suspension. Beyond the items flagged on the MOT record, an inspection of this ten-year-old Navara should also account for age-related deterioration that may not yet appear on the DVSA history. Tyres should be examined closely for sidewall perishing or cracking, which can occur regardless of tread depth, and a check of the tyre manufacture date will confirm whether they are still within a safe service life. The 12V battery is likely approaching the end of its operational life and should be load tested, while a visual inspection of the engine bay for perished hoses, corroded earth straps, and degraded drive belts is advisable. Although there are no advisories recorded for fluid services, brake fluid should ideally be renewed biennially, and given the vehicle's age, the condition and age of the coolant, transmission fluid, and differential oil for the four-wheel-drive system should be verified against the manufacturer's service schedule. Finally, the underside of the vehicle, particularly around the chassis rails, suspension mounting points, and exhaust hangers, should be examined for corrosion consistent with a working utility vehicle.