Used car guide · 2006–2026

Nissan Note common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Nissan Note, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 453,786 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

453,786MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
144,452on the UK register
8known faults across all years
2016best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2026201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006

What usually goes wrong with a Nissan Note?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Fuel leak and steering recalls (2008)

    Cars registered 2008–2009 · Built 2008

    Diesels built January to October 2008 were recalled for a possible fuel leak, and cars built June to September 2008 for a steering fault. Others covered ISOFIX mounts (early 2006) and brakes (Nov 2011).

    At the viewing: Ask a Nissan dealer to confirm the recalls were done.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Nissan Note buying guide (2006-2013)

  • Worn steering rack

    Cars registered 2006–2012 · All engines

    Some Notes have needed a new steering rack.

    At the viewing: Feel for resistance or notchiness as you turn the wheel.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Nissan Note buying guide (2006-2013)

  • Damp footwells

    Cars registered 2006–2012 · All engines

    Air con leaks can make the footwells damp.

    At the viewing: Feel the carpets for damp.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Nissan Note buying guide (2006-2013)

  • Cambelt due (diesel)

    Cars registered 2006–2012 · Diesel

    The diesel’s cambelt is due every five years or 90,000 miles, about £400.

    At the viewing: Ask for an invoice if it’s due.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Nissan Note buying guide (2006-2013)

  • CVT automatic that hesitates on hills

    Cars registered 2013–2017 · CVT automatic

    Some owners of the CVT automatic report the engine faltering or cutting out when climbing hills in Drive.

    At the viewing: On the test drive, pull away and climb a hill in Drive. Any hesitation or stalling needs looking at.

    Source: RAC: Nissan Note 2013-2017 review

  • Windscreen cracks and squeaky suspension

    Cars registered 2006–2012 · All engines

    Small cracks along the bottom of the windscreen spread quickly, and front squeaks usually mean worn anti-roll bar bushes.

    At the viewing: Look along the bottom of the screen, and listen over bumps.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Nissan Note buying guide (2006-2013)

  • Knocks over bumps and wheel bearings

    Cars registered 2013–2017 · All engines

    Owners mention knocking from the suspension over small bumps, and some have needed a wheel bearing.

    At the viewing: Drive over rough roads and listen for knocking, and for a hum that rises with speed.

    If it needs doing: Wheel bearing, about £120–£300. ClickMechanic

    Source: RAC: Nissan Note 2013-2017 review

  • Sticking electric windows

    Cars registered 2013–2017 · All engines

    Some owners have had electric windows stick.

    At the viewing: Open and close every window, and try the other electrics.

    Source: RAC: Nissan Note 2013-2017 review

Common Nissan Note MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

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

  • Brake lights

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Ball joint

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Sub-frame bushes

    up to 11.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Headlights

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Diesel

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 3.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

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

  • Ball joint

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Coil springs

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 6.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Sidelights

    up to 4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Headlight aim

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

Nissan Note MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2016 Nissan Note did best (84% passed first time, 7 points above all 2016 cars) and the 2007 did worst (51%, 6 points below all 2007 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201784%80% +415,437
201684%77% +732,024
201580%74% +644,550
201475%70% +564,953
201365%67% -235,119
201260%64% -434,881
201158%62% -435,564
201056%60% -441,968
200956%59% -344,009
200853%57% -444,655
200751%57% -634,857
200650%56% -625,769

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Nissan Note

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Have the fuel leak and steering recalls been done?
  2. Has the automatic gearbox had any work or software updates?
  3. Has any suspension or wheel bearing work been done?
  4. Have there been any electrical faults?
  5. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the Nissan Note as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the Nissan Note as on other cars the same age.)

Looking at a Nissan Note?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score