Nissan Note common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Nissan Note at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 157,251 UK MOT tests of the Nissan Note in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is linkage ball joints (ball joint has slight play): recorded on 3.6% of tests of 2013–2015 cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km), 5.1× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement) (5.3×); pins and bushes (pin or bush excessively worn) (4.2×); coil spring (corroded) (3.9×). The most common reasons a Nissan Note fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); stop lamp (not working); coil spring (fractured or broken).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Nissan Note
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Nissan Note than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play | Advisory | 2013–2015 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3.6% | 0.7% | 5.1× | 10,652 |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | Advisory | 2016–2018 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 8% | 1.5% | 5.3× | 6,923 |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | MOT fail | 2010–2012 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 7.9% | 1.9% | 4.2× | 7,766 |
| Coil spring: corroded | Advisory | 2015–2017 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3.5% | 0.9% | 3.9× | 4,094 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | MOT fail | 2010–2012 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 11% | 2.3% | 4.9× | 611 |
| Position lamp: not working | MOT fail | 2014–2016 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 7.2% | 2% | 3.6× | 3,669 |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | MOT fail | 2011–2013 | 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 12% | 2.7% | 4.5× | 602 |
| Stop lamp: not working | MOT fail | 2009–2011 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 5.6% | 1.6% | 3.5× | 3,125 |
Nissan Note by mileage (2013–2015 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 2,271 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (13%) | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (7.3%, 3.8×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 12,014 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (14%) | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (11%, 3.5×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 15,732 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (13%) | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (13%, 3.3×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 10,652 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (16%) | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play (3.6%, 5.1×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 5,106 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Position lamp: not working (8%, 3.1×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 1,913 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (20%) | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play (6.2%, 5.2×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 693 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (22%) | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play (6.2%, 4.4×) |
Nissan Note by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 9,582 | Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (4.6×) |
| 2007 | 12,764 | Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (4.3×) |
| 2008 | 16,010 | Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (3.5×) |
| 2009 | 15,390 | Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (3.9×) |
| 2010 | 14,554 | Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (4.4×) |
| 2011 | 12,262 | Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (4.9×) |
| 2012 | 11,902 | Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (4.5×) |
| 2013 | 11,801 | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (5×) |
| 2014 | 21,915 | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (5.2×) |
| 2015 | 15,043 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (4×) |
| 2016 | 10,780 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (4.2×) |
| 2017 | 5,204 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (5.6×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Nissan Note?
In 157,251 UK MOT tests of the Nissan Note in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is linkage ball joints (ball joint has slight play): recorded on 3.6% of tests of 2013–2015 cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km), 5.1× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement) (5.3×); pins and bushes (pin or bush excessively worn) (4.2×); coil spring (corroded) (3.9×). The most common reasons a Nissan Note fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); stop lamp (not working); coil spring (fractured or broken).
Why do Nissan Notes fail the MOT?
Across 157,251 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Nissan Note were position lamp (not working) (8% of tests); stop lamp (not working) (7.4% of tests); coil spring (fractured or broken) (7.9% of tests).
At what mileage do Nissan Note problems start?
The clearest Nissan Note-specific issue, linkage ball joints (ball joint has slight play), peaks against other cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) on 2013–2015 cars (3.6% of tests vs 0.7% for all cars that age).
Where does this Nissan Note data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 157,251 tests of the Nissan Note. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.