1 Nissan Note car for sale

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The Note’s age means that details like the dashboard design and entertainment features now seem outdated against more modern vehicles, but if you’re not bothered about the latest infotainment screens or fancy features, then it’s still easy to appreciate the tough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.