2021 Nissan Leaf Electric · RO71 JFN

The 2021 Nissan Leaf carries a current and valid MOT certificate, most recently passed on 3 October 2025, and the record contains no failure entries across the testing history provided. However, this single passing test is accompanied by three advisories that warrant attention from any prospective buyer. The offside front lower suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement suggests early deterioration of the front suspension linkage, a common wear point on vehicles of this age and mileage, particularly given the additional unsprung mass carried by electric vehicles due to their powertrain configuration. The advisories relating to nearside and offside front brake discs being worn, pitted or scored, though assessed as not seriously weakened, indicate surface corrosion and lip formation consistent with a vehicle that may have experienced periods of light use, as the regenerative braking characteristic of the Leaf reduces conventional friction pad application and allows surface oxidation to develop on the discs. The maintenance trend is best characterised as stable rather than worsening, given the absence of failures, though the cluster of front-end advisories suggests that the front suspension and braking components are now entering a phase where closer scrutiny and likely preventative maintenance should be anticipated within the next service interval. With 35,359 miles recorded over approximately five years of age, this Nissan Leaf is averaging around 7,000 miles per year, which sits broadly in line with typical UK usage patterns for a privately owned family electric vehicle. The mileage accumulation appears steady rather than excessive, and there is no evidence within the MOT history of any significant gap that would suggest prolonged periods of standing. This is mechanically advantageous, as electric vehicles with low or interrupted usage often suffer degradation of the high-voltage traction battery, twelve-volt auxiliary battery, brake discs through corrosion, and various rubber and polymer components through perishing. The mileage profile shown here is conducive to reasonable component longevity across suspension, drivetrain, and braking systems, although the front-end wear patterns visible in the advisories suggest that even moderate annual usage will produce visible component degradation over a five-year period. For a prospective buyer conducting a physical inspection, particular attention should be directed to the front suspension components flagged in the 2025 advisory. The offside front lower suspension arm bush should be examined for any visible cracking, splitting, or play when the wheel is rocked by hand at the nine and three o'clock positions, and the same should be repeated on the nearside for comparison. On a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over uneven road surfaces, speed humps, and during full-lock manoeuvres, which would indicate that the bush wear has progressed beyond the advisory threshold. Uneven tyre wear, particularly on the inner or outer edges of the front tyres, can also indicate worn suspension bushes altering the wheel geometry. Should the advisories have progressed to failure between tests, replacement of the affected arm or bush assembly would be expected, and a buyer should budget accordingly for this foreseeable maintenance. The brake disc advisories on both front corners warrant a thorough inspection, as pitted or scored surfaces indicate that the discs have worn unevenly and may be approaching the minimum thickness tolerance. On a test drive, the buyer should pay close attention to any brake shudder or vibration through the steering wheel under firm application, any grinding or metallic scraping noises, and any pulling to one side under braking, all of which would suggest the discs require machining or renewal. Given the regenerative braking system of the Leaf, it is also worth confirming that the calipers are releasing fully, as seized calipers are a known issue on vehicles that rely heavily on regenerative deceleration. Beyond the advisory items, a five-year-old electric vehicle should be assessed for tyre age through the DOT date code on the sidewalls, with any tyres over six years old considered for replacement regardless of tread depth due to rubber perishing. The twelve-volt auxiliary battery should be load tested, as these typically require replacement every four to six years. Brake fluid should be checked for age and condition, with replacement typically required every two years regardless of mileage. Finally, given that this is an electric vehicle, any prospective buyer should verify the state of health of the traction battery through a diagnostic read-out, ideally at a Nissan dealer or specialist, as the MOT history does not record high-voltage battery condition and this remains the single most consequential mechanical consideration for any used Leaf.