2012 Nissan Note 1.5L Diesel · SD62 LWX

A fourteen-year-old Nissan Note showing 105,787 miles carries a recurring pattern of structural and suspension wear that has accumulated progressively across seven recorded tests, with the most recent pass on 1 August 2026 simply continuing a sequence of advisories rather than indicating any mechanical improvement. The MOT history reveals that the front suspension and subframe assembly have been a chronic source of monitoring items since at least 2019, with subframe pin or bush wear flagged in 2020, 2022, 2023, and again in 2025, and the front lower subframe bushes specifically cited as worn on both sides across multiple consecutive tests. The 2026 test added corrosion to both front coil springs alongside a damaged nearside front Macpherson strut mounting, suggesting that the corrosion risk flagged generally under the body in 2025 has now begun to affect the primary spring units. Steering free play at the rack, brake disc pitting and scoring on both front discs, and corroded rear exhaust components complete a picture of a vehicle whose consumable and structural wear items have been accruing steadily rather than being rectified between tests. At roughly 7,556 miles per year over fourteen years, the recorded mileage sits within expected parameters for the age and class of car, with no anomalous gaps in the testing history that would suggest extended periods off the road. The annual accumulation is consistent with regular commuter or family use, which ordinarily keeps seals lubricated and corrosion progressing slowly, but the MOT record shows that underbody corrosion has nevertheless reached a point where the tester felt compelled to record general deterioration under the body in 2025. The mileage progression between tests is steady, so there is no evidence of clock irregularities or unusual standing periods, but the combination of moderate annual use with multiple recurring chassis advisories indicates that wear on rubber components, brake iron, and exhaust hardware has accumulated consistently throughout the vehicle's life. The single dangerous failure recorded on 14 June 2019, where both front tyres were found with exposed plies alongside a failed rear stop lamp, was rectified at the same test date, but the underlying issue of front tyre wear close to the legal limit has resurfaced at the most recent 2026 test on the nearside front. A prospective buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and subframe area, which is the dominant theme of the advisory record. The front lower subframe bushes on both sides and the nearside and offside inner suspension arm pins have been flagged as worn on multiple occasions since 2021, so on a test drive listen carefully for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps, uneven road joins, and during full-lock manoeuvres, and check for any wandering or imprecise steering response that could indicate the free play noted at the steering rack in 2025 has worsened. With the front brake discs recorded as pitted and scored on both sides in both 2021 and 2025, the pedal should be tested for any judder under firm braking, and the discs inspected for a visible lip at the outer edge that would confirm material wear beyond the MOT threshold. The Macpherson strut mounting damage noted on the nearside front in 2026 warrants a check for any knocking from the top of the strut tower through the bulkhead, particularly over undulating surfaces, and a visual inspection for fluid seepage around the strut body. The underbody corrosion that was generalised in 2025 and has now manifested on the front coil springs in 2026 requires close scrutiny of the spring pans, strut towers, and any jacking or lifting locations on a ramp inspection, as Nissan Notes of this generation are known to be vulnerable to corrosion in these areas, and progression from surface corrosion to structural concern can accelerate once it begins. The oil leak flagged as not excessive in 2022 should be re-examined, as minor leaks commonly worsen over intervening years and four years of further use have elapsed since that advisory. The tyre noted as worn close to the legal limit and on its edge at the nearside front in 2026 suggests the front alignment or wear pattern may be irregular, potentially linked to the worn ball joint and suspension bushes, so a four-wheel alignment check would be prudent after any suspension rectification. Finally, the rear shock absorbers have been recorded with light oil misting on both sides since 2019, and while this has not yet warranted a failure, a road test over a wavy road section should confirm the dampers still control body movement without excessive bouncing or float.