2010 Nissan Note MOT pass rate: 66.5% (41,728 tests)
Is the 2010 Note getting worse?
Pass rate of 2010-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 67.3% -0.7 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 66.1% -0.9 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 65.8% -1.1 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2010 Note
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14,293 | 36.8% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 10,447 | 26.9% |
| 3 | Brakes | 4,195 | 10.8% |
| 4 | Tyres | 3,515 | 9.0% |
| 5 | Visibility | 2,229 | 5.7% |
| 6 | Body, chassis, structure | 1,358 | 3.5% |
All Note years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 25,581 | 61.9% | -2.5 pts | 101,645 |
| 2007 | 34,621 | 63.1% | -2.1 pts | 97,492 |
| 2008 | 44,364 | 64.6% | -0.5 pts | 94,368 |
| 2009 | 43,795 | 66.2% | -0.2 pts | 87,655 |
| 2010 (this page) | 41,728 | 66.5% | -0.9 pts | 84,491 |
| 2011 | 35,382 | 67.6% | -1.5 pts | 78,054 |
| 2012 | 34,688 | 68.7% | -2.6 pts | 70,445 |
| 2013 | 34,963 | 73.1% | -0.2 pts | 65,512 |
| 2014 | 64,692 | 81.0% | +5.2 pts | 58,441 |
| 2015 | 44,362 | 85.3% | +6.6 pts | 50,570 |
| 2016 | 31,930 | 87.9% | +6.5 pts | 41,750 |
| 2017 | 15,389 | 88.1% | +4.1 pts | 38,195 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Nissan Note years to avoid.
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FAQs
Is a 2010 Nissan Note reliable?
2010-registered examples passed 66.5% of their MOT tests (41,728 tests, 2023–2025), -0.9 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 16 years old with a median 84,491 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2010 Note?
The median tested example shows 84,491 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2010 Note?
In this cohort petrols pass 68.1% of tests against 59.6% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.