2013 Nissan Note petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Nissan Note petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Nissan Note petrol than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual
  Nissan Note

  17.8% All 2013 cars

  7.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 1.7% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Coil springs1.7× usual
  Nissan Note

  13.1% All 2013 cars

  7.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 3.7% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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 joints3.3× usual
  Nissan Note

  6.3% All 2013 cars

  1.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.7% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Ball joint1.9× usual
  Nissan Note

  8.6% All 2013 cars

  4.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Sidelights1.8× usual
  Nissan Note

  6.5% All 2013 cars

  3.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 3.3% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

Common 2013 Nissan Note petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Nissan Note petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  39% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Tyres
  29% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Lights and electrics
  22% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Brakes
  21% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  6% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Known faults on the 2013 Nissan Note petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• CVT automatic that hesitates on hills

  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

• Knocks over bumps and wheel bearings

  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

  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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Nissan Note petrol

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

1. Has the automatic gearbox had any work or software updates?
2. Has any suspension or wheel bearing work been done?
3. Have there been any electrical faults?
4. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2013 Nissan Note petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2013 Nissan Note petrol as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2013 Nissan Note petrol as on other cars the same age.)