Nissan Note 2013: a complete guide for buyers and owners

⚠️ Attention: If during a test drive the CVT Note starts to “slip” under sharp acceleration or makes a grinding noise - this is a sign of wear on the belt or cones. Repairs will cost 80 000–150 000 ₽, so it’s better to look for another copy.

Diesel versions 1.5 dCi suffer from problems with EGR valve and particulate filter DPF. After 200,000 km Injectors often require cleaning or replacement, which costs 30 000–50 000 ₽ per set. Gasoline 1.2 DIG-S may “eat” oil (up to 1 l per 10,000 km), if you don't monitor the level.

Another typical problem is corrosion. Body Note galvanized, but there are weak points: sills, wheel arches and the lower part of the doors. When purchasing, be sure to inspect the car on a lift or check it with a thickness gauge.

Owner reviews: pros and cons

Reviews on forums and social networks about Nissan Note 2013 contradictory. Owners praise the car for compactness, efficiency And spacious salon, but they scold for Shumka, weak dynamics (especially for 1.2) and problems with the variator. Let's look at the key points:

• ✅ Pros:
• 💰 Low fuel consumption (real 5.5–6.5 l/100 km in the city).
• 🅿️ Convenient parking thanks to compact dimensions (3.99 m in length).
• 🛠️ Cheap service (spare parts are cheaper than Toyota Yaris or Honda Jazz).
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Spacious interior for the class: the rear row accommodates three passengers.
• ❌ Cons:
• 🔊 Poor noise insulation: at speed > 90 km/h Wind and suspension noise can be heard.
• 🐢 Sluggish dynamics 1.2 (79 hp) — overtaking requires planning.
• 🔄 Problems with the variator after 100,000 km (if not served).
• 🎨 Cheap plastics in the interior: squeaks appear over time.

Many owners note that Note ideal for the city, but on the highway it feels insecure due to the short wheelbase and poor airflow from the brakes. They also often complain about small trunk volume (320 l), although with the seats folded it increases to 1,336 l.

Interesting fact: in Japan Note sold under the name Nissan March Box and was positioned as a “minivan for the city.” This explains its unusual height for a hatchback (1.53 m) and vertical rear pillars.

How to choose a used Nissan Note 2013: checklist

Buying a used car is always a risk, but if you approach the process systematically, you can avoid most problems. Here's what to look for during inspection Nissan Note 2013:

Check the mileage (normal for 2013 - up to 150,000 km)

Check if the oil in the variator has been changed (if CVT)

Inspect the body for traces of corrosion (sills, arches, underbody)

Diagnose the engine for errors (especially for 1.2 DIG-S)

Check electrical operation (windows, locks, sensors)

Test drive: are there any jerks during acceleration (problems with CVT)

Look at the maintenance history (at least checks for oil and filters) -->

The first thing to do is check mileage. Average annual mileage for Note — 20,000–25,000 km. If the odometer shows 80,000 km for 10 years, this is suspicious: either the car was idle, or the mileage was skewed. Check the history by VIN through services like Autocode or CarVertical.

Pay special attention CVT (if there is one):

- The oil should be light in color and without a burning smell.

- There should be no jerks or delays during acceleration.

- In the neutral position (with the engine off), check the play of the selector lever - if it is large, the bushings may wear out.

For diesel version 1.5 dCi required:

- Check the compression (normal: 28–32 bar in cylinders).

- Make sure the particulate filter is DPF not deleted (otherwise there will be problems with passing maintenance).

- Look at the color of the exhaust: blue smoke is a sign of wear on the turbine or injectors.

⚠️ Attention: If the seller claims that “the oil in the variator does not need to be changed” or “this is a maintenance-free box,” you are either facing an incompetent person or a fraudster. Nissan officially recommends changing the oil in Xtronic CVT every 60,000 km.

It would be a good idea to inspect the car on a lift or overpass:

- Check the condition of the silent blocks and ball joints.

- Pay attention to oil leaks from the engine or gearbox.

- Inspect the brake discs and pads (the life of the front pads is 30,000–40,000 km).

Maintenance and consumables: what and when to change

Maintenance regulations for Nissan Note 2013 standard for Japanese cars, but there are some nuances. For example, a CVT requires more frequent attention than a manual transmission. Here are the main service points:

For engine 1.2 DIG-S critical to use high quality oil with permission Nissan PSF-11 (For example, Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30). The turbine is sensitive to overheating, so it is important to monitor the oil and coolant levels.

CVT Xtronic CVT requires original oil Nissan NS-3 (or equivalent Idemitsu CVTF). Replacement includes:

1. Drain the old oil.

2. Washing the tray and magnets.

3. Replacing the filter (if it is included in the design).

4. Filling with new oil (~5 l).

Don't skimp on consumables! For example, cheap brake pads can squeak or quickly wear out the discs. The best choice for Note:

- Pads: TRW, Akebono.

- Discs: Brembo, Zimmermann.

- Filters: Mann, Framm.

Tuning and modernization: what can be improved

Nissan Note 2013 is not the most popular car for tuning, but owners often modify it for comfort or appearance. Here are some areas for modernization:

• 🎨 External tuning:
• Installation of body kits (for example, from Nismo or universal whales).
• Window tinting (allowed standard - 30% for the front ones).
• LED optics (dimensions, turn signals, DRLs).
• 🔧 Technical tuning:
• Chip tuning for 1.2 DIG-S (increase up to 15 hp).
• Installation of a short-stroke rocker (for manual transmission).
• Replacing springs with stiffer ones (for example, H&R).
• 🎵 Acoustics and multimedia:
• Installing a 2DIN radio with Android Auto and a rear view camera.
• Sound insulation of doors and arches (for example, StP or Bitumast).
• Replacing standard speakers with component acoustics.

The most useful modification for Note — sound insulation. From the factory, the car is poorly insulated from external noise, so even partial treatment of the doors and floors significantly improves comfort. Cost of materials: 5 000–10 000 ₽, more work 10 000–15 000 ₽.

For lovers of dynamic driving, chip tuning is suitable, but it is important to remember:

- For 1.2 DIG-S The power increase is limited by the strength of the turbine.

- After the firmware update, fuel consumption may increase (by 0.5–1 l/100 km).

- The engine warranty (if it is still valid) will be void.

If you want to improve handling, consider installing:

- Sports shock absorbers (KYB or Bilstein).

- Reinforced anti-roll bars.

- Light wheels (Enkei or BBS).

⚠️ Attention: When installing larger diameter discs (such as R16 instead of regular ones R15) check compatibility with brake mechanisms. On Note With rear drum brakes, offset discs may not fit ET40 and below.

Alternatives to Nissan Note 2013: what to compare with

If you are considering Nissan Note Alternatively, it’s worth comparing it with the main competitors in the class:

Nissan Note outperforms competitors in spaciousness of the cabin And CVT (if served), but loses in reliability (especially compared to Toyota Yaris) and controllability (Honda Jazz behaves more predictably at high speeds).

If efficiency and comfort in the city are important to you, Note - a good choice. But if you plan frequent trips along the highway or need a car that will last forever, it’s better to take a closer look at Yaris or Jazz.

Prices for Nissan Note 2013 on the secondary market (at the end of 2023):

- 1.2 manual transmission: 450 000–600 000 ₽.

- 1.2 CVT: 500 000–650 000 ₽.

- 1.2 DIG-S: 550 000–700 000 ₽.

- 1.5 dCi: 600 000–750 000 ₽ (rarely found).

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions