2018 Nissan Qashqai 1.3L Petrol · AF68 RCV

The most recent DVSA MOT test for this 2018 Nissan Qashqai was conducted on 24 November 2025 and resulted in a clean pass with no defects or advisories recorded, indicating that the vehicle satisfied all statutory roadworthiness criteria at that examination. Looking back through the recorded history, the car has passed every test since its first entry in October 2021, with only one previous examination producing advisories, namely the November 2024 test which flagged thinning front brake pads and rear tyres approaching the legal tread limit. The overall maintenance trend therefore appears stable and consistent, with no recurring failure points or progressive deterioration across multiple test cycles. The single advisory episode appears to have been addressed, as no further brake or tyre concerns were raised at the subsequent 2025 test, which suggests attentive servicing between examinations. The recorded mileage of 37,000 miles across approximately eight years equates to an average annual usage of around 4,600 miles, which is notably low for a vehicle of this age and significantly below the typical 7,000 to 10,000 miles per year expected of a family crossover. This pattern suggests either predominantly short-trip urban use or extended periods of standing between journeys, both of which carry their own mechanical implications. Short journeys prevent the engine, catalytic converter, and turbocharger (if fitted) from reaching full operating temperature, accelerating oil degradation and promoting internal corrosion, while prolonged standing allows brake discs to surface corrode, brake calipers to seize, suspension bushes to dry out and crack, and tyre sidewalls to perish even where tread depth remains adequate. The relatively even mileage progression between annual tests, with no large gaps, indicates the vehicle has remained in regular use rather than being laid up for long stretches. Given the clean MOT history and the low-mileage profile, a prospective buyer should focus physical inspection efforts on age- and standing-related degradation rather than wear-and-tear items. Begin with a thorough visual examination of all four tyres, paying particular attention to sidewall cracking, perishing, or bulging, as tyres older than six years deteriorate chemically regardless of remaining tread depth, and check the manufacturing date code stamped on each sidewall. Inspect the brake discs for any significant lipping or severe surface corrosion, which may indicate seized or binding calipers that could necessitate replacement; a test drive should reveal any juddering under braking or uneven pulling to one side. Verify the condition and age of the 12-volt battery, as units beyond five years of service frequently struggle to hold charge, particularly on vehicles used primarily for short journeys. Further inspection should include a careful examination underneath the vehicle for any signs of fluid leakage from the engine, gearbox, or differential, as standing can allow seals to dry and weep upon resumption of use. Check that the service book or digital service record demonstrates regular oil and filter changes at calendar-appropriate intervals, since time-based degradation matters as much as mileage for engine and gearbox lubricants. On a road test, listen for any clonks or knocking from the front suspension, particularly over speed bumps or uneven surfaces, as worn coil springs, drop links, or anti-roll bar bushes are common on Qashqais of this generation and may not yet have manifested as MOT advisories. Confirm that all warning lamps illuminate and extinguish correctly on ignition, that the air conditioning system blows cold, and that the exhaust emits steady pressure with no rattles indicative of a failing catalyst or rear mounting. Finally, request evidence of any remedial work carried out following the November 2024 advisories on brake pads and rear tyres to ensure those items were properly renewed rather than simply monitored.