2005 Nissan 350 Z 3.5L Petrol · YA05 NFF

A persistent pattern of advisories centred on brake discs, exhaust integrity, and tyre condition defines the mechanical story of this 350Z, with the most recent test on 9 October 2025 producing both a Pass and a Fail recorded on the same date. The failure reason is not detailed separately, but the accompanying advisories indicate the recurring issues that have been flagged consistently across multiple tests: pitted and corroded front brake discs have been noted on every MOT since at least 2022, the nearside front tyre has shown cracking or perishing for three consecutive years, and exhaust gas leaks have migrated from the central section in 2022 and 2023 to the right bank blow in 2024 and the offside pipe in 2025. Surface corrosion underneath the vehicle has now also been recorded as an advisory. The picture is one of a car that continues to pass its roadworthiness test but with a steadily accumulating list of wear-related items that have not been rectified between tests, suggesting a vehicle kept just within legal thresholds across its braking and exhaust systems. Against an age of roughly 21 years, the recorded 42,051 miles equates to an annual accumulation of only around 2,002 miles, which is markedly low for any vehicle and especially so for a sports car of this type. The MOT history begins effectively at the 2022 test and shows no large mileage jumps, consistent with limited use rather than any unusual gaps in testing. Low annual mileage of this nature generally means that wear items such as brake discs, pads, tyres, and exhaust components may suffer from corrosion and surface degradation through lack of regular use rather than friction wear, which aligns precisely with what the advisories show: the discs are pitted and corroded rather than worn thin, the tyres are perishing through age rather than being run to the legal tread limit, and the exhaust joints are weeping rather than failing through internal corrosion. On the positive side, low mileage typically preserves internal engine, transmission, and clutch components, and there is no record of oil leaks, suspension component failures, or structural corrosion advisories that would suggest a high-mileage or heavily worked example. For a prospective buyer, the brake system is the most pressing area to investigate physically. The front discs have been flagged as pitted and corroded at every test for at least four consecutive years, so a test drive should include several firm stops from moderate speed to check for brake pedal judder, vibration through the steering wheel, or any pulsing sensation that would indicate the corrosion has now progressed to the point of disc runout. Listen for any scraping or grinding and inspect the disc faces directly for a pronounced lip on the outer edge and visible ridging. The nearside front tyre has been recorded with cracking and perishing on three successive MOTs, so both front tyres should be examined closely for sidewall cracks, dry rot, or bulges, and consideration given to replacement regardless of remaining tread depth given the age-related deterioration already documented. The rear discs were also flagged in 2022 and 2023, so the same judder and vibration checks apply to the rear axle under harder braking. The exhaust system warrants particular attention given that advisories have shifted location year on year, from the central section in 2022 and 2023 to the right bank in 2024 and the offside pipe in 2025, which suggests progressive joint and pipe failure rather than a single isolated repair. With the engine idling and revved, listen for ticking, hissing, or a change in exhaust note that would indicate a live leak, and feel around the pipe joints and flange connections for escaping gas. The underbody surface corrosion advisory from the 2025 test should be inspected on a ramp or over a pit, paying close attention to the front subframe, suspension arms, brake and fuel lines, and the rear arch areas, as surface corrosion on a 21-year-old car can advance quickly once established. Finally, with such low annual mileage, check that the vehicle starts cleanly from cold, that there is no significant exhaust smoke on start-up indicative of oil drying in the bores, and that all warning lamps extinguish promptly, as prolonged standing periods can mask underlying issues that only become apparent once the car is used more regularly.