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Nissan Note reliability by build year

Coverage 2006-20172 named generationsMPVHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL

We've only got 999 MOT tests for Nissan Notes built around 2018 (7 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Nissan Note built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Nissan Notes built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Nissan Note by number plate

Key figure

14% of MOT tests on Nissan Notes built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 14% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Nissan Notes built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Nissan Note's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Note's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Note Mk2 (E12)

Mk2 (E12) (2013-2017)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

15.9% fail rate, built around 2017 (8 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 18.7%)

From 9,610 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Note Mk1 (E11)

Mk1 (E11) (2006-2012)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

30.1% fail rate, built around 2012 (13 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 27.7%)

From 15,947 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Nissan Note.

See every build year for the Nissan Note

Side-by-side

Nissan Note generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk2 (E12) (2013-2017)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings15.9%built around 2017 (8 years old)from 9,610 MOT tests at this age
Mk1 (E11) (2006-2012)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings30.1%built around 2012 (13 years old)from 15,947 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Note, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Nissan Note fail rate by age

This chart combines every Nissan Note ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
99913.8%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
9,61015.9%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
14,40716.2%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
22,74619.9%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
23,31923.4%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
16,77028.1%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
15,94730.1%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
17,13430.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
21,02731.7%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
18,11132.4%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
19,28833.7%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
13,78534.2%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
5,42434.5%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 19 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Nissan Notes

These issues come from 7-year-old Nissan Notes, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    14.2%
    Advisory: 197Fail: 18 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    13.4%
    Advisory: 161Fail: 27 (14% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    10.8%
    Advisory: 160Fail: 6 (4% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    6.5%
    Advisory: 85Fail: 1 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    5.8%
    Advisory: 64Fail: 4 (6% of the times it was found)

Based on 999 MOT tests on 7-year-old Nissan Notes, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Nissan Notes notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Tyres31%
  2. Suspension + Tyres27%
  3. Brakes + Suspension23%
  4. Other + Tyres12%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 243 MOT tests on Nissan Note cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

97%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · More than typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

10 recalls in all

All 10 Nissan Note recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 8 more

Top concerns

  • Abnormal deployment of passenger airbag
  • Drivers airbag may rupture if deployed
  • Possible reduced retention force of the rear door child lock switch

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Ford Ka

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.3%

    No clear edge over the Nissan Note on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    14,260 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Honda Jazz

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.8%
    Dangerous
    3.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    98%

    Lower fail rate: 10.2%, against 13.8% for the Nissan Note, both built around 2018.

    6 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    21,810 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Abarth 595

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5%
    Dangerous
    5.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.5%

    No clear edge over the Nissan Note on these figures.

    4,000 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Kia Rio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.5%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.9%

    No clear edge over the Nissan Note on these figures.

    7,421 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Nissan Note across all generations combined fails MOTs slightly less often than typical for this age. It has the lowest fail rate of the 9 Nissan models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 999 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Nissan Note ever sold: 198,567 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 999 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.