NISSAN NOTE Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 11,021 MOT tests from 737 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every NISSAN NOTE has the same fault.

NISSAN NOTE's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 591/999. The score was calculated from the average of every NISSAN NOTE that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the NISSAN NOTE.

NISSAN NOTE (example)

Check a Nissan Note before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	761/999Very good	71,916 miles	6,857 vehicles
N/A	N/A	724/999Very good	79,615 miles	650 vehicles
N/A	N/A	718/999Very good	76,193 miles	1,149 vehicles
N/A	N/A	683/999Good	79,864 miles	10,432 vehicles
N/A	N/A	656/999Good	74,020 miles	1,978 vehicles
N/A	N/A	631/999Good	84,471 miles	9,968 vehicles
N/A	N/A	567/999Above average	83,192 miles	2,459 vehicles
N/A	N/A	511/999Above average	77,109 miles	5,145 vehicles
N/A	N/A	480/999Average	84,671 miles	7,188 vehicles
N/A	N/A	480/999Average	76,573 miles	1,334 vehicles
N/A	N/A	457/999Average	91,601 miles	6,933 vehicles
N/A	N/A	426/999Average	76,776 miles	631 vehicles

How reliable is the NISSAN NOTE?

Based on 11,021 MOT tests from 737 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

737

MOT tests

11,021

Pass rate

75.5%

Median mileage

82,765 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every NISSAN NOTE has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 628 out of 999.

Common NISSAN NOTE MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 2,070 advisory comments and 158 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 382 advisory comments and 337 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING CORRODED (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 547 advisory comments and 49 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM PIN OR BUSH WORN BUT NOT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 289 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 215 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 215 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 214 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Ball joint wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 179 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn or damaged ball joint. Track rod ends are counted with steering, not here.

What to inspect

Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT EXCESSIVELY WORN (5.3.4 (A) (I))

NISSAN NOTE MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2017	32	259	83.8%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2016	48	421	87.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015	76	702	83.6%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2014	136	1516	81.2%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2013	86	1175	75.1%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2012	69	1074	73.4%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2011	51	900	72.8%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2010	59	1117	73.3%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2009	52	1036	71.9%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2008	50	1093	72.4%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2007	37	805	74.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2006	31	792	68.9%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear

What to check when buying a used NISSAN NOTE

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Ball joint wear. Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

Buying a NISSAN NOTE?

Common problems tell you what can affect NISSAN NOTEs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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