2004 Nissan Cube 1.4L Petrol · YL53 CVV

A pattern of structural corrosion and recurring brake and tyre advisories defines the mechanical picture of this 2004 Nissan Cube, with the most recent MOT on 12 March 2024 recording a pass but flagging signs of corrosion on both inner sills. The 2023 pass and the earlier 2023 failure are particularly telling: the failure was driven by a combination of issues rather than a single fault, including an ABS warning lamp indicating a system fault, an excessively binding nearside front service brake, a missing rear fog lamp, and a severely obstructed driver's view through the swept area of the windscreen, alongside an ineffective fuel cap. Although the January 2024 retest passed, the underlying advisories persisted, including offside rear tyre wear and general vehicle structure corrosion, while the failure test also noted a corroded offside rear brake pipe covered in grease or other material. Taken together, the record shows a vehicle that is presently roadworthy but carries multiple chronic advisories concentrated around corrosion, braking components, and tyre condition, with two failures in the space of twelve months suggesting the maintenance has not been fully consolidated. The recorded mileage of 98,074 miles across roughly 22 years equates to an average annual accumulation of around 4,458 miles, which is low for a car of this age. Such low mileage can reflect genuine light use, but it also raises the possibility of extended periods of standing, which is consistent with the irregular MOT testing history: there are no recorded tests between February 2022 and January 2023, and again only a single test entry in 2024, suggesting the vehicle has not been in continuous daily use. Mechanically, low annual mileage tends to place less wear on high-mileage items such as the clutch, engine internals, and major drivetrain components, but it can accelerate deterioration of items that suffer from disuse, including binding brake calipers as already evidenced by the nearside front brake issue, as well as corrosion to underbody components, brake lines, and fuel system seals, all of which align with the advisories recorded. A prospective buyer should treat the recorded corrosion on both inner sills as the primary structural concern and arrange a close-up inspection of the sill pressing, jacking points, and the rear quarter to inner sill join, checking for any perforation, bubbling under the underseal, or previous repair welding, as the MOT only records surface signs and the threshold for structural rigidity loss is reached quickly once rust penetrates. The 2024 advisories specifically mention offside and nearside inner sills, while the 2023 test raised general vehicle structure corrosion, indicating the corrosion is widespread rather than localised. On the test drive, listen for any clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, particularly on the nearside, as the binding front brake noted in the 2022 failure can be accompanied by worn suspension bushes or a seized caliper slide mechanism that may not yet have reached an advisory level. Pay close attention to brake feel: a pulling sensation under moderate pedal pressure, uneven braking, or a brake that fails to release cleanly on the nearside front would warrant immediate inspection of the caliper, carrier, and associated sliding pins. The offside rear brake pipe that was recorded as corroded and greased in 2023 should be physically examined for any remaining surface corrosion, pinholing, or flaking, as brake lines of this age are prone to internal scaling and eventual leakage. The ABS warning lamp that illuminated in the 2022 failure should also be confirmed as inactive at ignition on, and a diagnostic read should be carried out to ensure the fault has been resolved rather than simply cleared. Check all four tyres for uneven shoulder wear, particularly on the offside rear which has twice been flagged for edge wear, and inspect for any sidewall cracking or perishing consistent with age-related rubber degradation. Finally, verify that the windscreen swept area is now unobstructed, the rear fog lamp is present and functional, and the fuel cap seals correctly with an audible click, as these were all failure items that should now be rectified but should be confirmed on the day of viewing.