2011 Nissan Note 1.6L Petrol · PE11 ECF

The Nissan Note presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent test on 28 August 2025 at 42,402 miles resulted in a pass, but only after an initial failure on the same day at 42,398 miles. That failure flagged a fractured or broken nearside front coil spring and an excessively worn offside front suspension arm pin or bush. Both were rectified before the retest passed six miles later. The trend is therefore resolving at the point of the latest certificate, yet the underlying history reveals a vehicle that has repeatedly operated with deteriorating front suspension components and braking surfaces rather than receiving proactive upkeep. The mileage accumulation is notably low, averaging roughly 2,827 miles per year over fifteen years. Between September 2022 and September 2023, the car covered approximately 1,298 miles, then roughly 1,411 miles in the following year, and only 1,196 miles between September 2024 and August 2025. This pattern suggests prolonged periods of limited use, which can accelerate corrosion on brake discs and exhaust components and cause perishing of rubber bushes and tyres. The 2023 test already noted deep cracking across all four tyres, confirming that age-related degradation has been a consistent factor. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and braking system. The offside front suspension arm pin or bush has appeared as worn in three consecutive tests from 2023 through 2025, progressing from a minor advisory to an excessive wear failure before being replaced. The nearside coil spring fractured between September 2024 and August 2025, indicating the front springs are under significant fatigue. Inspect both front struts for oil misting, check the lower arm bushes and ball joints for play, and examine the subframe and mounting points for corrosion, particularly given the car's low annual mileage and likely exposure to standing periods. The front brake discs have been flagged as worn, pitted, or scored in three of the last four tests, suggesting either aggressive braking, poor disc quality, or prolonged standing causing surface corrosion. Verify disc thickness and condition, and check the calipers for binding. Finally, examine the headlight lenses, which were noted as deteriorated in the 2025 test, and confirm the aim is correct.