2009 Nissan Note 1.6L Petrol · SL09 DTO

The most recent DVSA examination on 12 December 2025 resulted in a Pass, although this followed a Fail just two days earlier on 10 December 2025, indicating that corrective work was carried out to clear the Major defects. Despite the eventual pass, two advisories were carried over and re-noted: a cracking or perishing offside rear tyre and a worn offside front sub-frame pin or bush. Reviewing the broader history, the maintenance trend appears broadly stable but with persistent age-related wear in the suspension and under-bonnet areas. The 2024 test recorded play in the front suspension arm ball joints, while the 2022 and 2023 examinations both noted play in the offside front anti-roll bar linkage and perishing on the nearside rear tyre. The 2025 Fail introduced a more serious sub-frame rear bush wear issue on the nearside front, suggesting that the bush deterioration has progressed beyond a purely advisory stage on at least one side. While nothing structural has been flagged and emissions have remained within limits, the pattern indicates a vehicle where rubber suspension components are reaching the end of their effective service life. With a recorded mileage of 44,531 miles over approximately seventeen years, this Nissan Note has covered on average only around 2,600 miles per year, which is exceptionally low. Such low annual mileage suggests periods of standing or only very light use, which carries its own mechanical implications. Extended standing can promote brake disc corrosion, caliper seizure, and binding, as well as internal corrosion in the brake hydraulic system. Coolant, brake fluid, and automatic transmission fluid if fitted will degrade with calendar age regardless of mileage, and rubber components throughout the chassis, hoses, and seals will have hardened. The MOT records do not indicate any particularly rapid mileage accumulation, but the low overall figure should prompt a buyer to consider whether scheduled servicing has been carried out on a time basis rather than purely on odometer readings. Given the recurring advisories for tyre perishing and suspension component wear, a prospective buyer should carry out a careful physical inspection. Examine all four tyres closely for sidewall cracking, perishing, and any cuts or bulges, paying particular attention to the rear pair as perishing has been noted on both nearside and offside rears in recent years. Inspect the front suspension thoroughly for perished or split anti-roll bar bushes and droplinks, and check for excessive play in the front ball joints and sub-frame mounting bushes, as the nearside sub-frame rear bush was previously judged excessively worn. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, pay attention to any vagueness or wandering from the steering, and feel for brake judder or pulling that may indicate corroded discs or seized caliper pistons from prolonged standing. Given the low recorded mileage, additional checks should include verifying the 12V battery condition, as batteries degrade with age even when not in heavy use, and inspecting for any signs of brake caliper binding by rolling the vehicle and ensuring the wheels turn freely without heat after a short drive. Under-bonnet inspection should confirm coolant and brake fluid dates, as both should have been changed on a time basis, and the condition of ancillary drive belts, radiator hoses, and the exhaust system should be checked for perishing or corrosion, particularly given the vehicle's age. The service history should be scrutinised to confirm that oil and filter changes have been performed at least annually despite the low mileage, and a compression test or oil analysis may be prudent to confirm internal engine condition. Finally, ensure the recently replaced nearside front sub-frame bush and any other rectification work from the December 2025 test is supported by invoices, as this confirms the work was professionally completed rather than a short-term MOT pass.