2017 Nissan Qashqai 1.6L Petrol · NJ17 AEU

The vehicle's roadworthiness shows a worsening maintenance trend following a period of stability. While the car passed tests between 2020 and 2023 without defects, the most recent inspection on 30 October 2025 at 63,325 miles flagged several significant wear items. The tester identified severely deteriorated dust covers on both nearside and offside front suspension arm ball joints and noted that both front brake discs are worn, pitted, or scored. This indicates that components previously ignored or left to degrade are now reaching the end of their serviceable life. The mileage accumulation is consistent with a typical low-to-mid usage pattern for a nine-year-old vehicle. The car has covered approximately 7,000 miles per year, moving from 30,893 miles in November 2020 to 63,325 miles in October 2025. This steady progression suggests regular use rather than long periods of standing, which often leads to seized components. However, the failure in October 2024 at 57,274 miles, which required attention to exhaust emissions and suspension components, suggests that maintenance has occasionally been reactive rather than preventative. A prospective buyer should focus heavily on the front end of the vehicle. The recurring issues with suspension ball joint dust covers and the previous failure of the nearside anti-roll bar ball joint and track rod end suggest the steering and suspension assembly requires a thorough physical inspection. The deterioration of these rubber components can lead to premature wear of the joints themselves if not addressed. Additionally, the pitting on the front brake discs and the previous failure for thin brake pads mean the braking system's consumables should be checked for thickness and surface integrity. The October 2024 failure also highlighted excessive carbon monoxide emissions. Although the vehicle passed the subsequent test, a buyer should ensure the engine runs smoothly and does not exhibit signs of poor combustion or rough idling. Given the recent advisories regarding suspension and braking hardware, a pre-purchase inspection should specifically target the condition of the front wishbones, ball joints, and the overall state of the braking discs to ensure no further mechanical degradation is imminent.