2012 Nissan Juke 1.5L Diesel · ST12 FPV

The most recent DVSA examination on 2 April 2026 resulted in a PASS, although the test is accompanied by a substantial cluster of advisories that demand close scrutiny from any prospective buyer. Of particular concern is the advisory noting that both the nearside front and the offside rear brakes are binding, as a sticking caliper generates excessive pad and disc wear, may produce a pulling sensation or uneven braking under deceleration, and frequently manifests as a hot wheel hub or burning smell after driving. The advisory on corroded coil springs both at the front and rear offside suggests the suspension is beginning to suffer from age-related structural deterioration, which can progress to spring fracture and a noticeable drop in ride height. Further advisories concerning a slightly leaking offside front inner CV boot, corroded exhaust joints, and worn offside front drop link dust covers indicate that routine wear items are accumulating simultaneously, pointing toward a vehicle that is broadly serviceable but in need of proactive maintenance. Looking at the broader MOT trajectory, the maintenance trend is clearly worsening rather than stable. A major failure was recorded on 31 March 2026, immediately preceding the pass, with both nearside and offside front suspension arm ball joints recorded as excessively worn, accompanied by advisories for slight play in both track rod end ball joints. This follows an earlier major failure on 10 February 2023 for an excessively worn nearside front suspension arm pin or bush, and a further major failure on 10 February 2022 for excessive play in both track rod end ball joints. The recurrence of front suspension wear over four consecutive test cycles suggests an underlying issue with the front suspension geometry, persistent undertray exposure to road salt, or simply the cumulative effect of age and corrosion on the front subframe components, meaning a buyer should treat the front suspension as a priority area for inspection and budget. With respect to recorded mileage, the vehicle displays approximately 61,801 miles over a 14-year period, equating to an average of roughly 4,414 miles annually. This is markedly below the typical usage profile for a vehicle of this age and points to either consistent light use or extended periods of standing. While lower mileage generally preserves the engine and gearbox internals, it carries specific risks for a 2012 Nissan Juke, including brake disc surface corrosion from infrequent use, sticking caliper pistons, perished or cracking tyre sidewalls from age rather than wear, and accelerated underbody and component corrosion from damp storage. The advisory history confirms this pattern, with recurring mentions of slightly damaged, cracking, or perished tires on the nearside rear across multiple tests since 2022, and brake binding advisories that align with low-use caliper seizure rather than friction material wear. Given the recurring advisories on front suspension components, binding brakes, corroded coil springs, and CV boot seepage, the buyer must carry out a targeted physical and dynamic inspection before purchase. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front end over speed bumps and uneven surfaces, particularly indicative of the worn ball joints and bushes flagged in successive tests, and check for uneven or feathered tyre wear which would confirm geometry misalignment from the worn track rod ends. With the engine idling and after a short drive, feel each front wheel hub for excessive heat indicative of a binding caliper, and inspect the offside front inner CV joint area for fresh grease splatter or torn rubber suggesting imminent boot replacement. Beyond these, a fourteen-year-old Nissan Juke with low annual mileage should have a 12V battery load tested for capacity loss, all brake discs checked for lip corrosion and runout, the coolant and brake fluid verified for age-related degradation, and the underbody inspected on a ramp for the corroded brake lines and exhaust joints that have been repeatedly flagged. A pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar with Nissan chassis components is strongly advisable to quantify the cost of rectifying the suspension and brake issues before commitment.