2020 Nissan Leaf Electric · YA70 NFM

The defining mechanical feature of this Nissan's MOT record is a rear tyre wear pattern that has now appeared in two consecutive tests, with the 2026 inspection flagging a rear tyre worn to the legal limit with perishing, cracking, and bald edges, alongside a nail in the opposite rear tyre and undertrays preventing full underside access. The most recent test on 20 January 2026 was a pass, but only as a borderline result, and the fact that the offside rear has been repeatedly called out for cuts and edge wear across 2025 and 2026 suggests either an alignment issue at the rear axle, worn suspension bushes allowing toe misalignment, or simply a vehicle that is hard on its rear tyres. The 2024 test was entirely clean, so this is a relatively recent development that warrants direct scrutiny rather than dismissal as routine wear. Against a six-year lifespan, the recorded 64,555 miles equates to roughly 10,759 miles annually, which sits close to the typical usage profile for a car of this age and indicates a vehicle that has been driven regularly rather than left standing for extended periods. Testing history shows annual MOT entries from 2024 through 2026, with no multi-year gaps that would raise concerns about dormant corrosion, seized brake calipers, or deteriorated rubber components. There are no recorded failures at any point, which is consistent with a car that has been in active service, though the absence of earlier annual tests in the supplied record means the longer-term mechanical trajectory cannot be fully verified from MOT data alone. For a prospective buyer, the rear tyre wear is the single most important item to interrogate. Before purchase, both rear tyres should be inspected for uneven shoulder wear, particularly on the inner and outer edges, and a wheels-off check of the rear suspension bushes, trailing arms, and any anti-roll bar linkages should be carried out, as the undertrays fitted to this vehicle prevented the tester from confirming the condition of those components from below. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the rear over uneven surfaces, pay attention to any rear-end instability or wandering at speed, and check whether the steering wheel remains centred, as persistent rear toe misalignment often produces a slight drift. The nearside rear nail damage noted in 2026 should also be confirmed as properly repaired, and the spare or replacement tyre examined for matching age and tread depth. Brake-related checks should focus on the rear calipers and discs, as a regularly driven electric vehicle of this mileage relies heavily on regenerative braking, which can leave rear friction components susceptible to corrosion through underuse. On the road, the brake pedal should feel firm and progressive without any judder or pulling, and a strong regenerative deceleration feel is normal but the transition to friction braking should be smooth. Given that this is a 2020 Nissan Leaf, a battery state-of-health report from a specialist diagnostic tool would also be prudent, as the supplied MOT history cannot speak to the high-voltage pack condition, though the steady annual mileage suggests the vehicle has not been left sitting with the traction battery in a deeply discharged state for prolonged periods.