2013 Nissan Qashqai 1.5L Diesel · AO13 MUW

Suspension wear is the defining story of this Qashqai's test history, with front lower suspension arm bushes flagged every year from 2021 onwards, escalating to a Major failure in January 2022 for excessively worn bushes on both front lower arms alongside a track rod end with excessive play and a headlamp aim defect. Those items were rectified within a week to secure a pass, but the theme has persisted: trailing arm bushes on both rear corners were advised in 2022, and the January 2026 test, which the car passed, again recorded a worn nearside front suspension arm pin or bush plus a severely deteriorated nearside front outer CV boot as a Minor defect. Braking is the second recurring thread, with worn, pitted or scored discs front and rear, thin rear pads, a fluctuating front service brake and a binding rear brake all advised in January 2025, a test that was initially recorded as a fail before a same-day pass. The overall trend is not worsening dramatically, but neither is it clean: the car accumulates a steady list of wear-related advisories each year, and the 2023 pass with no defects stands out as the exception rather than the rule. Recorded mileage of 102,816 miles over roughly thirteen years equates to about 7,900 miles annually, which is typical for the age and consistent with regular mixed use rather than prolonged standing. Tests have been conducted every January without gaps, and the mileage accumulation appears steady, so there is no evidence of long lay-ups that might explain the perished rear tyres or corroded brake pipe noted in the record. At this mileage the wear items flagged are broadly what would be expected: suspension bushes, track rod ends, brake discs and pads, and CV boots are all consumables on a car of this age and distance, though the recurrence of the same front suspension bush advisory across five consecutive years suggests repairs have addressed symptoms rather than the underlying wear pattern. A prospective buyer should prioritise the front suspension and steering on inspection. With lower arm bushes flagged since 2021 and a track rod end failure in 2022, listen for knocks or clonks over uneven surfaces and speed bumps, check for vague or wandering steering at motorway speeds, and feel for any shimmy through the wheel under braking. The severely deteriorated nearside front CV boot from the 2026 test needs immediate attention: if left, grease escapes and grit enters the joint, so listen for a clicking or knocking from the front nearside on full lock, which would indicate the joint itself is already worn and considerably more expensive than a boot replacement. The offside track rod end has carried a slight-play advisory in 2022 and 2024, so check for uneven front tyre wear and any free play at the wheel. On the braking side, the 2025 record of fluctuating front brakes, a binding rear brake, scored discs and thin rear pads warrants a careful test drive: feel for pedal judder or pulsing under moderate braking, check whether the car pulls to one side, and after a short drive feel each wheel for excess heat that would confirm a binding caliper. The corroded offside rear brake pipe noted in 2024 should be inspected underneath for progression, as corrosion on brake lines can move from advisory to failure quickly. Both rear tyres were advised as perished and close to the legal limit in January 2026, so confirm they have been replaced and budget accordingly if not. Finally, verify that the 2022 headlamp aim and track rod end repairs were completed properly, and treat the overall record as that of a typically used example requiring ongoing attention to suspension and braking consumables rather than a car with a clean bill of health.