Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 Nissan Note?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2009 Nissan Note?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2009 Nissan Note?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2009 Nissan Note vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

45% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2009 Nissan Note reliable?

Based on MOT data from 17,785 vehicles, the 2009 Nissan Note has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2009 Nissan Note?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2009 Nissan Note are: Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (65.2% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (60.9% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (51.7% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2009 Nissan Note?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Nissan Note (2009)

17,785 real MOT outcomes analysed • 74.9% first-time pass rate

2009 Nissan Note

CarHunch analysed 17,785 real MOT records for the 2009 Nissan Note. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Petrol vs Diesel Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2009 Nissan Note has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74.9%, notably below the UK average of 80%, and a concerning 44.5% of vehicles have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a significant buyer concern suggesting structural or safety issues are relatively common in this cohort. Petrol versions fare slightly better at 75.2% pass rate compared to diesel at 72.8%, but both fall short of the national benchmark.

At nearly 63,000 miles on average, these Notes are running as expected for their age, but the 4.67 average failures per vehicle signals persistent mechanical problems beyond first-test issues. With 20.5 advisories per vehicle on record, deteriorating components like suspension and brakes are clearly typical wear items—have a pre-purchase inspection focus specifically on structural integrity and safety systems before committing to one.

The 2009 Nissan Note has a below-average first-time pass rate (74.9% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

74.9%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

44.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.67

Over 17.7 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

58k

Middle half: 44k–74k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 20.5 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 17,785 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 17,785 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 65.2%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Tyre wear 60.9%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Other issues 43.6%

Oil leak, but not excessive

Suspension & steering 28.9%

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement · Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement · Offside Rear Coil spring corroded · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 17,785 Nissan Note cars.

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 2.4 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

75.2%

Petrol

14,926 vehicles

72.8%

Diesel

2,847 vehicles

Before you buy a 2009 Nissan Note

Based on MOT data from 17,785 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 44.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (84%)	14,926	75.2%	4.63
Diesel (16%)	2,847	72.8%	4.93

Colour Breakdown

Based on 179,519 Nissan Note vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 21.6%

38,715

Silver 16.6%

29,730

Black 15.8%

28,316

Red 15.6%

28,006

Grey 10.9%

19,635

White 9.3%

16,641

Beige 8.2%

14,649

Orange 1.4%

2,494

Gold 0.3%

588

Yellow 0.3%

524

Brown 0.1%

147

Maroon 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Nissan Note vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

57,989

typical

43,594

low mileage

74,252

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Nissan Note vehicles fall between 43,594 and 74,252 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 43,594 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 43,594–74,252 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Nissan Notes sit.

⚠ Over 100,240 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 Nissan Note — Still on the Road

Most 2009 Nissan Notes are still being driven.

13,519 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 79% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

17.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.67

Avg failures per vehicle

20.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Nissan Note: All Note years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2009 Nissan Note stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on