Used Nissan Note for sale: everything you need to know
The second-generation Nissan Note covered here was sold between 2012 and 2017, and served as a more practical alternative to cars like the crossover-style Nissan Juke, or regular superminis like the Nissan Micra. As such, it’s a good choice if you want the easy parkability of a small car but need more space than the average supermini can provide.
The Note was fairly popular too, which means that although it went off sale in 2017, there are still plenty on the used market, and the car’s age means they’re pretty affordable now too. There are more stylish cars and better ones to drive, but for low running costs, space, and decent equipment levels, plus a reasonable assumption of reliability, the Note still scores well. Keep reading to find out more.
Should you buy a Nissan Note?
What the Nissan Note lacks in style compared to Nissan’s own Juke, it makes up for in practicality, and this is probably one of the reasons you’d consider a car like this. Compact SUVs like the Juke can be surprisingly cramped inside, but the Note takes more cues from MPVs, with a tall body that prioritises interior space.
The Note’s age means that details like the dashboard design and entertainment features now seem outdated against more modern vehicles, but if you’re not bothered about the latest infotainment screens or fancy features, then it’s still easy to appreciate the tough build quality, good visibility, and better rear-seat space than most similarly-sized crossovers.
It drives well too, with direct steering and a nimble feel. One tradeoff is a slightly busy ride, but on the other hand, the engine lineup does the job perfectly well - all engines are fuel-efficient, and while you can’t completely trust the economy figures, since they were recorded on the less accurate NEDC test, the 1.5 diesel especially is very frugal in the real world.
The obvious alternative to the Note is the Nissan Juke, which has a funkier appearance and a slightly larger boot, though overall it’s not as practical as the Note. One car still offering Note-style cabin size is the Honda Jazz, and that’s still on sale today - so if you want something newer, it’s probably the one to go for. A regular supermini like the Ford Fiesta meanwhile is better to drive, but not as spacious inside.
What’s the best used Nissan Note model to buy?
With the newest Nissan Notes hailing from 2017, they’re unlikely to feel quite as fresh as a nearly-new car by now, but this also means the best examples are still far cheaper than they were new. The Note also isn’t the kind of car that attracts particularly rough owners, so most should still be fairly tidy and should have been serviced regularly - so age need not necessarily count against them. For performance and economy, we’d opt for the diesel, which is also free to tax, though the 1.2 DIG-S is a good substitute if you rarely do longer trips.
Used Nissan Note fuel economy and performance
- Nissan Note 1.2: The Note range started with a naturally-aspirated 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol, with 80PS and a five-speed manual gearbox. 0-62mph came up in 13.7 seconds, and NEDC economy was 60.1mpg combined.
- Nissan Note 1.2 DIG-S: Nissan attached a supercharger to the 1.2-litre petrol, lifting power to 98PS, and dropping the 0-62mph time down to 11.8 seconds (or 12.6 seconds with the CVT automatic). Combined economy, again NEDC figures, was 65.7mpg for the manual, 55.4mpg for the CVT.
- Nissan Note 1.5 dCi: The most frugal Note used a Renault-sourced 1.5-litre turbodiesel, with 90PS, a five-speed manual gearbox, and a 11.9-second 0-62mph time. Combined economy was an NEDC-rated 78.5mpg.
What used Nissan Note trim levels are available?
It’s a familiar lineup of Nissan trim levels here, with Acenta and Tekna trim denoting the bottom and top of the range, and Acenta Premium in the middle getting a little more equipment than the base model. Engine choice varies slightly depending on trim level - there’s no manual 1.2 DIG-S or diesel in Acenta trim, and no basic 1.2 petrol in Tekna, but otherwise there’s a good spread for each model.
- The Nissan Note Acenta got 15-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, a leather steering wheel, heated mirrors, air conditioning, and a four-speaker audio system with USB and aux inputs.
- The Nissan Note Acenta Premium kept the Acenta’s kit but with upgrades including climate control, automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers, front fog lights, a 5.8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a six-speaker DAB audio system, and a sliding rear seat bench.
- The Nissan Note Tekna got larger 16-inch alloy wheels, part-leather seats, and driver assistance and safety features including blind spot and lane departure warnings, and an Around View Monitor parking camera system.
Used Nissan Note dimensions and boot size
The Nissan Note’s dimensions are:
- Length: 4100mm
- Width: 1695mm (without mirrors)
- Height: 1535mm
- Ground clearance: N/A
The Nissan Note’s boot size is:
- 325-411 litres
- 1495 litres with the rear seats folded (to roof)
Used Nissan Note road tax
Most Nissan Notes were registered prior to April 2017, which means most are taxed based on CO2 output rather than at the current flat rate. Thanks to CO2 emissions below 100g/km, this means the 1.2 DIG-S manual and the 1.5 dCi are both free to tax, and the regular 1.2 and CVT DIG-S are only £20 and £35 respectively. Any Note registered after this date will get taxed at a flat rate of £190 per year, for 2024/2025.
How much is it to insure a Nissan Note?
As with tax, insurance shouldn’t be a huge cost on the Note. All models can be found between groups 6-10, with the naturally-aspirated petrol 1.2 at the bottom of this range and a Tekna-spec 1.2 DIG-S at the top.
