2019 Nissan Cabstar 3.0L Diesel · GR 1104

A recurring pattern of suspension oil misting across multiple axles, combined with two Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) warning lamp failures in 2022 and 2024, defines the mechanical profile of this 2019 Nissan Cabstar. The 2026 test on 30 March recorded a pass but flagged an offside rear shock absorber with light oil misting, continuing a trend that first appeared on the 2025 examination where both offside front and rear shock absorbers were noted with light misting alongside a nearside rear hub seal leak. The earlier 2024 MOT on 20 March failed outright on an SRS warning lamp fault, a repeat of an identical major defect recorded at the 2022 test which also failed for non-functioning headlamps on dipped beam and defective wiper blades. The headlamp and wiper issues from early 2022 appear to have been rectified as the subsequent tests in 2023, 2024, and 2025 did not re-flag them, but the persistent emergence of new oil misting advisories on each test cycle, plus the unresolved SRS warning lamp concern, points to ongoing component degradation rather than a stable condition. With seven years on the road and 45,400 miles recorded across seven MOT entries, this Cabstar has averaged roughly 6,486 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a light commercial vehicle of this age. There are no extended gaps in the testing record, with annual examinations consistently filed between March and April, indicating continuous operational use rather than periods of standing. The mileage progression between tests is steady and proportionate to the intervals, suggesting the vehicle has remained in regular service throughout its recorded life. For a commercial chassis-cab of this type, this level of use is sufficient to ensure consumables such as brakes, tyres, and suspension components have been worked through their normal service cycles, but the relatively modest annual accumulation means it has not been subjected to the higher wear rates associated with intensive fleet operation. For a prospective buyer, the priority components to inspect are the suspension dampers and the rear hub seal, given the escalating advisory pattern. The shock absorbers on both the offside front and rear axles have now been flagged for oil misting across consecutive tests, which warrants a physical check on a test drive for any knocking, excessive bounce, or uneven damping over uneven road surfaces, and a close inspection of the damper bodies for active weeping or wet residue rather than just superficial dust. The offside rear hub seal advisory from 2025 should prompt an examination of the rear wheel area for grease contamination on the brake backplate or wheel rim, and any signs of bearing rumble when cornering. The tyre advisories, including the nearside front cut from 2025 and the offside front inner edge wear from 2024, indicate the need to verify that current tyres are evenly worn, correctly inflated, and free from sidewall damage, as edge loading on the inner shoulder can point to geometry or suspension alignment issues. The most significant concern in the record is the SRS warning lamp fault, which was a major failure in both March 2022 and March 2024, indicating that the airbag or pretensioner system has registered a persistent electronic fault that has not been definitively resolved. Before purchase, the buyer should confirm whether diagnostic work has been carried out, the fault codes cleared, and the system scanned with a Nissan-compatible diagnostic tool to verify the integrity of the airbag circuit, seatbelt pretensioners, and crash sensors. A test drive should also focus on any illumination of the airbag warning lamp during the ignition cycle, any warning chimes related to restraint faults, and verification that the lamp extinguishes as expected after the bulb check. Additionally, the wipers, headlamp dipped beam function, and all exterior lighting should be operationally verified, as the 2022 failures for both wiper blades and headlamps demonstrate that basic electrical and visibility items have previously failed on this vehicle.