2012 Nissan Note · 38,592 MOT tests
2012 Nissan Note reliability
2012 Nissan Notes fail 38% of first MOT tests, 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 12 Note years (38,592 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Nissan Notes: 34.9%)
- 38%
- first-time fail rate (all Nissan Notes: 34.9%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 25% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- 65,508
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 38,592
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- 2013 cars: 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 1.8% of tests fail here (141% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 47% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 Nissan Note
Fail rate by area
- Suspension20.4%
- Lights and electrics17%
- Tyres6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.5%
- Brakes5.3%
- Seat belts and airbags1.8%
- Body, chassis and structure1.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Coil spring fractured or broken 6.81%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Stop lamp not working 5.81%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 5.2%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Position lamp not working 4.91%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 4.76%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.54%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (14.6%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (13.34%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.91%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.52%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (5.35%) · Brake pads wearing thin (4.51%)
Other years
Every Nissan Note year
The full picture: Nissan Note reliability. Before you pay for any Nissan Note, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2012 Nissan Note reliable?
2012 Nissan Notes fail 38% of first MOT tests, 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 12 Note years (38,592 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 Nissan Note MOT?
Most often coil spring fractured or broken (6.81% of tests), stop lamp not working (5.81% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (5.2% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 Nissan Note have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 Nissan Note shows 65,508 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
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