2009 Nissan Note 1.6L Petrol · Y3 JME

The most recent MOT test on 24 August 2026 recorded a PASS outcome, but this should be viewed in conjunction with the immediately preceding test on 21 August 2026, which resulted in a FAIL due to both rear wheel bearings being assessed as rough when rotated. The quick turnaround between these two entries suggests either a retest following remedial repair of the wheel bearings or an administrative sequencing, and any prospective buyer should clarify precisely what work was undertaken to the rear axle between these dates. A recurring advisory relating to nearside front shock absorber oil misting has also appeared at both the August 2026 test attempts, indicating an early stage seal deterioration. Otherwise, prior annual tests in 2025, 2024, and 2023 all returned clean passes, with only minor advisories concerning child seat fitment and a slightly damaged offside mirror. The maintenance trend overall appears broadly stable, though the recent emergence of suspension and wheel bearing wear after a long period of clean results warrants close physical scrutiny. The recorded mileage of 44,400 miles on a seventeen-year-old vehicle equates to an annual average of approximately 2,600 miles, which is considerably below typical usage for a car of this age and indicates either genuinely light use, extended periods of standing, or potentially gaps in mileage recording. Such low annual mileage is not necessarily advantageous on a Nissan of this vintage, because prolonged standing commonly produces its own set of mechanical concerns. Brake discs and calipers can corrode and bind, leading to uneven pad wear and reduced stopping efficiency, while hydraulic fluid, coolant, and brake fluid degrade by calendar age regardless of mileage, and the 12V battery is particularly susceptible to sulphation and premature failure after extended periods of inactivity without a maintenance charger. The exposed underbody components and suspension linkages will also be prone to standing rust, and the buyer should consider the provenance of the recorded figures, ideally cross-referencing against any service book stamps or historical documentation. Regarding the specific defects and advisories recorded, the rough rear wheel bearings identified as Major failures at the August 2026 attempt are a notable concern. Wheel bearings on a Nissan Note of this age and mileage should not ordinarily be failing, and their premature wear may be linked to water ingress, prolonged standing allowing corrosion, or impacts from potholed roads. On a test drive, the buyer should listen for a humming or droning noise that rises and falls with vehicle speed, particularly during cornering when load transfers onto the affected wheel, and check for any lateral play when the wheels are manually rocked. The nearside front shock absorber oil misting is currently at an advisory stage, meaning the unit is not yet failing but seal integrity is compromised; this will progress over time and the buyer should listen for uneven damping behaviour over bumps and watch for uneven tyre wear across the front axle. Any replacement should ideally be carried out in axle pairs to maintain balanced ride and handling characteristics. Given the low annual mileage and the vehicle's age, several time-based inspection priorities should take precedence regardless of the MOT outcome. Tyre sidewalls should be carefully examined for perishing or cracking, as rubber compounds degrade with age even when tread depth remains legal, and the recurring nail-in-tyre advisories from 2024 and 2026 may reflect regular kerbside parking exposure or suggest the wheels are operating in debris-prone areas. The exhaust system should be checked for corrosion at mounting brackets, the rear silencer, and the flexible joint, all of which deteriorate with age and exposure. All fluid reservoirs should be inspected for correct level and condition, with particular attention to brake fluid hygroscopic degradation and any evidence of coolant or oil leaks from the ageing powertrain. A battery health check and verification of recent service history, including timing chain or cambelt replacement intervals if applicable to this powertrain, would also be prudent measures for any prospective buyer considering a low-mileage, seventeen-year-old Nissan Note.