Nissan Note MOT Failures
An analysis of 1,149,677 real DVSA MOT tests on the Nissan Note — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: E11 (2006–2013), E12 (2013–2021).
Where the Nissan Note fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Nissan Note is subframe bushes or mounts worn — this model is 77 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 1,149,677 MOT tests, 1.06% of all Nissan Note tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include emissions failure (15x the fleet average), headlight fault (27x the fleet average), rear registration plate lamp throwing direct wh... (48x the fleet average), and suspension pin, bush or joint (7.9x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Nissan Note's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 4 categories: Suspension, Exhaust & Emissions, Lights & Electrics, Tyres. If you're inspecting a Nissan Note before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Nissan Note's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Nissan Note specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are front or rear fog lamp switch inoperative or no... (36x the average) and headlight fault (27x). subframe bushes or mounts worn (24x) and wheel bearings worn (16x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Nissan Note specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are subframe bushes or mounts worn (56x the average) and emissions failure (11x). rear registration plate lamp throwing direct wh... (10x) and light unit fault (9.7x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Nissan Note specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are subframe bushes or mounts worn (77x the average) and emissions failure (14x). coil springs broken (13x) and rear registration plate lamp throwing direct wh... (12x) also appear frequently.
The shift from front or rear fog lamp switch inoperative or no... at lower mileages to subframe bushes or mounts worn at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Nissan Note specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Timing chain tensioner failure (E11) Major
The hydraulic timing chain tensioner on E11 1.4L and 1.6L engines fails due to worn internal components, allowing the timing chain to rattle and potentially jump teeth. Affects E11; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£700.
High oil consumption (E12) Major
The HR12DE 1.2L DIG-S supercharged engine suffers from excessive oil consumption due to poor piston ring sealing and oil control ring design. Affects E12; typical independent garage repair cost is £0–£200.
Timing chain wear (E12) Major
The HR12DE 1.2L engine timing chain stretches prematurely due to the combination of high oil consumption, extended service intervals, and lightweight chain construction. Affects E12; typical independent garage repair cost is £500–£800.
Ignition coil failure and stalling (recall) (E12) Major
Defective ignition coils on 2015-2016 HR12DE engines cause engine stalling without warning, creating a significant safety hazard. Affects E12; typical independent garage repair cost is £100–£200.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Nissan Note common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Nissan Note
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Nissan Note:
Suspension — check for subframe bushes or mounts worn, suspension pin, bush or joint, wheel bearings worn. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault, rear registration plate lamp throwing direct wh..., front or rear fog lamp switch inoperative or no....
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about timing chain tensioner failure and high oil consumption. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £400. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Nissan Note?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Nissan Note MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Nissan Note?
Based on 1,149,677 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is subframe bushes or mounts worn — at 77x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include emissions failure and headlight fault.
Is the Nissan Note reliable based on MOT data?
The Nissan Note has 15 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag timing chain tensioner failure as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Nissan Note most commonly fails on subframe bushes or mounts worn and emissions failure. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are front or rear fog lamp switch inoperative or no... and headlight fault.
How do I check a Nissan Note's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.