2011 Nissan Note 1.4L Petrol · YK11 ADZ

Chronic underbody corrosion and accumulating front-end component wear dominate the mechanical profile of this 2011 Nissan Note. Across seven recorded MOT tests spanning 2021 to 2026, two failures have been logged, both appearing in the spring immediately prior to a passing re-test. The 2025 failure recorded a fractured offside front coil spring alongside a directional indicator colour defect, while the 2026 test, conducted on the same day as the pass, recorded an offside front brake disc deemed dangerously weakened. Advisories have accumulated steadily rather than abated, with rear coil spring corrosion appearing in every test from 2023 onwards, front subframe corrosion flagged in 2025, and structural corrosion at the offside front engine mount area noted across both 2024 and 2025. Front brake discs have warranted advisories for wear and pitting in four consecutive tests, and front suspension arm bushes and ball joints showed progressive play through 2022 and 2023. The overall trajectory is one of steady deterioration rather than improvement, with the 2026 dangerous failure suggesting the wear pattern is now crossing the threshold from advisory into outright defect territory. The recorded mileage of 67,379 miles over fifteen years equates to an average annual accumulation of roughly 4,492 miles, which sits well below the typical figure for a vehicle of this age. The MOT entries do not provide individual mileages, so exact year-on-year progression cannot be confirmed, but the relatively uninterrupted annual testing pattern indicates the vehicle has been in regular use rather than laid up for extended periods. That said, the clustering of suspension, brake, and corrosion advisories despite the modest mileage points to age-related degradation of components rather than mileage-driven wear, which is consistent with a car that has spent its life exposed to damp road conditions. The annual test cadence itself, with no gaps beyond the standard expiry cycle, suggests consistent use of some form, even if predominantly short journeys, which themselves tend to accelerate corrosion through limited drying time for underbody components. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the front suspension and braking systems during any inspection. The advisories on front suspension arm inner rear bushes and ball joints recorded in 2022 and 2023 warrant a thorough check for knocking or clonking noises over speed humps and uneven surfaces, as well as vague or imprecise steering response that might indicate worn bushes allowing excessive movement. With the offside front coil spring having fractured in 2025 and the offside front brake disc reaching dangerous condition in 2026, both front coil springs and both front brake discs should be regarded as overdue items. On a test drive, listen for any uneven thuds from the front wheels suggesting a broken or weakened spring, and feel for brake pedal judder or vibration under firm application that would indicate disc runout or severe corrosion. The 2025 service brake advisory also warrants confirmation that braking effort is even and that the car pulls neither left nor right under heavy braking. The recurring rear coil spring corrosion advisories from both sides, together with the subframe and engine mount area structural corrosion noted in 2024 and 2025, mean a close visual examination of the underbody is essential. Look for bubbling or flaking paint along suspension mounting points, check the rear springs for cracking or missing sections, and inspect the front subframe and engine mount brackets for any perforation or loss of metal thickness. The 2022 advisory of oil leak from sump corrosion should also prompt a check for fresh oil residue on the underside and any blue smoke on start-up. The offside front shock absorber casing corrosion flagged in 2025, the rear wheel bearing noise advisory from 2021, and the perishing tyres previously recorded all warrant direct physical inspection on the day of viewing, as these items are straightforward to assess but would represent meaningful rectification costs if found deteriorated.