2012 Nissan Qashqai 1.6L Petrol · AF62 KTC

The most recent DVSA examination on 23 September 2025 resulted in an initial failure, immediately followed by a pass on the same date with no defects or advisories recorded against either entry. This pattern is highly indicative of a minor rectification that was carried out on site or in the immediate vicinity of the testing station, after which the vehicle was re-presented and met all roadworthiness requirements. The preceding three tests, conducted in September 2023, October 2022, and September 2024, all returned clean passes with no advisories whatsoever. Consequently, the overall maintenance trend appears stable and well managed, with no recurring or accumulating defect patterns visible in the documented history. The absence of advisories across the last four consecutive tests suggests that key wear items such as braking components, suspension elements, tyres, and exhaust systems were all in serviceable condition at the time of those examinations. With a recorded mileage of 104,903 miles over a fourteen-year lifespan, this Qashqai has been driven at an average of approximately 7,493 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of its age and class. There is no evidence in the supplied data of significant standing periods or unusually rapid accumulation of mileage that would point to extended inactivity or excessive long-distance use. Consistent year-on-year usage at this level generally allows mechanical components to remain properly lubricated and exercised, which is beneficial for the longevity of the drivetrain, brakes, and underbody components. However, at this mileage bracket, the buyer should remain conscious that major service items such as timing chains, clutch assemblies, and automatic gearbox fluid will have undergone considerable cumulative stress, particularly on variants fitted with the continuously variable transmission. Given the absence of any documented advisories or recurring defects, the prospective buyer should focus their pre-purchase inspection on age and mileage related deterioration rather than chasing specific failure points from the MOT record. Externally, the tyres warrant close scrutiny, as fourteen-year-old sidewalls are prone to perishing and cracking even if the tread depth remains adequate, and the spare or space-saver should be checked for age-related degradation. Brake discs, particularly on a vehicle that may have experienced mixed urban and motorway use, are susceptible to corrosion around the outer edges and lipping, while the calipers and slider pins should be examined for signs of binding or seizing, which can cause uneven pad wear and pulling under braking. The underbody, including subframes, wishbones, and suspension bushes, should be inspected for surface corrosion and any perished rubber components, as these are common failure points on Qashqais of this generation. The buyer should also prioritise a number of calendar-based service items that do not necessarily appear on an MOT test but are critical at this age. The twelve-volt battery is likely approaching the end of its functional life and should be load tested, while engine coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid all degrade over time and may require replacement regardless of the vehicle's mileage. The condition of the pollen filter, spark plugs, and drive belts should be verified against the manufacturer's service schedule, and any evidence of oil weepage from the cam chain area, a known area of attention on certain Qashqai engines, should be investigated. Finally, a thorough test drive should be conducted paying particular attention to the behaviour of the transmission, the effectiveness of the braking system, and the absence of any clonks or rattles from the suspension over uneven surfaces, all of which will provide a clearer indication of the vehicle's true mechanical condition beyond the clean paper trail.