Used car guide

2016 Nissan Note: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Nissan Notes, from 10,763 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

10,763MOT tests in 2025
82%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
5,200typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Nissan Notes than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.5× usual
    Nissan Note
    15.2% All 2016 cars
    6.1%
    Rough price £100–£300

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Wheel bearings3.5× usual
    Nissan Note
    2.1% All 2016 cars
    0.6%
    Rough price £100–£250

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 1.3% here, against 4.3% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 Nissan Note MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    27% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Suspension
    24% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    19% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    8% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    4% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Nissan Note?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20175,199Tyres 26%
201514,972Tyres 29%
201421,792Suspension 36%
201311,795Suspension 44%
201211,525Suspension 47%
201111,625Suspension 48%
201013,498Suspension 47%
200914,016Suspension 48%
200813,780Lights and electrics 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 Nissan Notes registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score