2010 Nissan Qashqai 1.5L Diesel · AD59 NHK

The 2010 Nissan Qashqai presents a picture of persistent mechanical issues rather than a clean, stable roadworthiness record. A recurring pattern emerges across the MOT history with the front anti-roll bar ball joints showing repeated failure, appearing on the 2020, 2023, and 2024 assessments, each time accompanied by additional minor advisories such as rear tyre damage or washer liquid shortages. The latest test on 2024-12-11 resulted in a pass despite these ongoing concerns, indicating the current condition still carries active warnings rather than resolving them. This suggests the underlying problem with the anti-roll bar system remains unresolved, creating a mechanical weakness that could manifest under stress or poor driving conditions. The vehicle's odometer reading of 125,014 miles across approximately 16 years translates to roughly 7,800 miles per annum, which aligns with expected moderate usage for a compact MPV of this era. However, the timing of the MOT intervals reveals significant gaps that should be scrutinised. There was a continuous absence of a MOT between September 2020 and September 2021—a full year where the vehicle sat uninspected—followed by another substantial interval between December 2022 and December 2023. While the average annual rate appears reasonable given the total mileage, these extended periods without testing suggest potential degradation of components that were not monitored, making it difficult to assess whether the current condition represents the worst-case scenario or merely the best-before point. The most critical mechanical areas requiring immediate attention are the front anti-roll bar ball joints, which have repeatedly triggered advisories for excessive wear or slight play, often resulting in binding behaviour during cornering or noticeable steering irregularity. The rear tyres have also shown deterioration through cutting, cracking, and washing issues, while the brake discs have exhibited pitting and scoring on separate occasions. When test driving this vehicle, pay close attention to how the car responds when navigating turns at speed—the presence of a clunking or knocking quality from the anti-roll bar assembly may indicate bearing wear or bush replacement is still needed. Listen for any grinding or squealing from the rear tyres during acceleration and braking, particularly when the vehicle is loaded, as the reported cuts and washer liquid deficiencies could compromise grip and handleability. Finally, inspect the brake discs visually for any new scoring or thinning, especially on the front axle, since the 2020 and 2022 assessments both flagged brake disc wear that could affect stopping performance if left uncorrected.