2020 Nissan Leaf Electricity · S9 BDE

The 2020 Nissan Leaf presents a stable but narrowly resolved maintenance picture following its most recent MOT activity on 08 December 2025 at 12,614 miles. That initial test failed on four tyres flagged for cracking or perishing alongside headlamp aim set too high, yet a same-day retest passed once the aim was corrected and the tyres were addressed. This pattern indicates the previous owner reacted promptly to the failure rather than ignoring it. The underlying concern, however, is that all four tyres deteriorated to an advisory state simultaneously, which is unusual for a low-mileage electric vehicle and points to age-related perishing rather than wear from use. The mileage profile reinforces that suspicion. Across six years the car has covered just 12,614 miles, averaging roughly 2,102 miles annually. The MOT record shows 9,723 miles in December 2023, 11,472 miles in December 2024, and 12,614 miles in December 2025, confirming a steady but very gentle accumulation of around 1,100 to 1,300 miles per year. Such low use often means extended periods stationary, which accelerates tyre sidewall perishing, brake disc surface corrosion, and localised suspension bush deterioration from static loading rather than dynamic wear. Brake condition has been a recurring theme. In December 2023 at 9,723 miles the tester noted worn, pitted, or scored inner front brake disc facings, and in December 2024 at 11,472 miles both front inner discs were flagged again in similar terms. On an EV where regenerative braking reduces mechanical braking demand, persistent disc pitting typically stems from corrosion during short-trip or long-park usage rather than friction wear. A buyer should inspect the front disc faces for deep scoring, lipping, and heat discolouration, and check the rear discs and pads for uneven corrosion that may indicate sticking calipers or seized handbrake components on the rear electric parking brake system. The simultaneous perishing of all four tyres at the December 2025 test, combined with the headlamp aim defect, suggests the vehicle may have sat unused for extended periods before that date. A prospective buyer should closely examine the tyre sidewalls for ozone cracking, date codes to confirm replacement age, and tread depth across all four corners. Suspension bushes, ball joints, and drop links deserve physical inspection for splits or dry rot, as low-mileage cars often suffer deterioration from age rather than mileage. The battery health and charging behaviour should also be verified through the vehicle’s on-board diagnostics, since prolonged inactivity can affect cell balance in lithium-ion packs.