2021 Nissan Leaf Electric · ST71 TFO

The defining mechanical story for this 2021 Nissan Leaf is a clean overall roadworthiness record that has begun to show early signs of wear on suspension and tyre components. Only two MOT tests are recorded, with the most recent on 18 December 2025 returning a pass but carrying four advisories. The earlier test on 12 December 2024 was a clean pass with no defects recorded, so the pattern over the available history is a transition from a fully unblemished report to one with several items now flagged for attention. None of the advisories resulted in a failure at the time, but they do indicate that the consumable and chassis components are beginning to reach the point where they warrant close scrutiny or replacement in the near term. With a recorded mileage of 28,539 miles over roughly five years, the car has averaged about 5,700 miles per year, which is notably low for its age. This kind of usage profile means that wear on high-mileage items such as the brake discs and pads, drivetrain components and clutch equivalents tends to be modest, but it also raises the likelihood of longer standing periods, during which rubber components, brake fluid, tyres and certain suspension bushes can deteriorate through age rather than use. The fact that mileage has remained low means the current odometer reading is an accurate but limited indicator of mechanical condition, and the test-drive and inspection should therefore focus as much on age-related degradation as on wear from distance covered. For a prospective buyer, the front suspension arm pin or bush wear flagged on both sides in December 2025 is the most significant item to investigate, as this is a common advisory on Leafs of this age and can progress if not addressed. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocking noises from the front end when traversing speed bumps, potholes or uneven road surfaces, and feel for any vagueness or knocking through the steering wheel on rougher tarmac. With the engine bay unattended at the wheel, a second person rocking the front wheels side to side and top to bottom can help reveal play in the suspension arms or anti-roll bar links. The advisories on the offside front and offside rear tyres being worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge also warrant immediate attention, as edge wear can indicate a tracking or geometry issue that, if left unresolved, will simply repeat the same wear pattern on any new tyres fitted. Finally, the nearside rear child seat advisory is purely an inspection access note and carries no mechanical significance, but the tyre wear pattern should be checked against the car's alignment. Ask for evidence of a recent four-wheel alignment, as edge wear on a Leaf is often linked to geometry that has shifted, particularly if the car has been kerbed. Inspect the original 2021 factory-fitted tyres for their DOT date stamps, as rubber over five years old can harden and crack regardless of tread depth, and verify that the brake fluid has been changed within the last two years, given the low annual mileage. Beyond these specific items, a thorough inspection of the high-voltage battery state of health report and a check for any warning lights on the dashboard will be essential, as these are not assessed under the MOT scheme but are critical to any used Leaf purchase.