2003 Nissan 350 3.5L Petrol · PA03 YCW

The most recent MOT, dated 4 August 2025 at 126,978 miles, resulted in a failure. The tester recorded numerous safety‑critical defects: both front and rear brake pipes were at imminent risk of fracture, brake performance could not be tested because the pipes were ready to let go, all four service brakes were excessively binding, the battery was insecure and likely to fall from its carrier, the windscreen washer, main‑beam tell‑tale, hazard warning tell‑tale and supplementary restraint system warning lamp were all inoperative, both front tyres had deep cuts reaching the ply or cords, rear tyres were mismatched in size on the same axle, the exhaust system was leaking, insecure and excessively noisy, the power‑steering rack was leaking, and extensive corrosion was noted on the under‑side, suspension components, sub‑frame mounting areas and a body panel that could cause injury. These issues form a clear, recurring pattern of corrosion‑related deterioration affecting the brake lines, suspension mounting points, sub‑frame, exhaust system and bodywork, combined with mechanical problems such as brake binding, tyre damage and fluid leaks. Compared with earlier passes (January 2023, December 2021 and January 2021) where only minor wear, tyre cracking, a faulty registration‑plate lamp and light surface rust were noted, the defect list has grown dramatically in both number and severity. This indicates a worsening condition trend rather than a stable or improving one. The vehicle is about 23 years old but has covered only roughly 127 000 miles, averaging about 5 500 miles per year – a low mileage for its age. Low mileage can suggest limited use or long periods of standing, which often promotes corrosion, rubber perishing and fluid seal degradation rather than wear from high‑speed driving. Hence the observed corrosion and brake‑pipe deterioration are consistent with a car that has spent considerable time idle or in a damp environment, while the relatively low moving‑part wear may explain why some components (e.g., engine internals) are not highlighted in the reports. For a buyer, the priority checks should be: - Inspect all brake lines and hoses for signs of imminent fracture, corrosion or insecure mounting; test brake pedal feel and check for binding at each wheel. - Examine the front and rear suspension mounting points, sub‑frame and related steel sections for serious corrosion or loss of structural strength.