2014 Nissan Qashqai 1.5L Diesel · AV64 JVC

The most recent DVSA examination on 7 October 2025 resulted in a pass, but the test was accompanied by four separate Minor defects and a single Advisory, indicating that while no immediate failure items were identified, the vehicle is beginning to show some signs of wear in its steering and front suspension assemblies. Across the available MOT history, the maintenance trend is broadly stable, with the earliest tests from 2019 through 2022 returning clean passes and only very minor advisories such as a defective wiper blade. However, the picture has gradually worsened over the last three tests, with repeat rear brake pad advisories in 2023 and 2024, followed by the cluster of steering and suspension Minor defects recorded at the 2025 test. A prospective buyer should therefore interpret the latest result as a pass that is becoming more conditional rather than as evidence of a vehicle in peak mechanical order, and should expect that several of these items are likely to require attention before the next annual test. With a recorded mileage of 115,196 miles across roughly twelve years, this Qashqai averages approximately 9,600 miles per year, which sits comfortably within typical usage expectations for a car of its age and class. There are no extended gaps between recorded mileages that would suggest long periods of standing, and equally there is no evidence of excessively high annual accumulation that would imply harsh use such as frequent motorway mileage or heavy commercial-style driving. The mileage progression is therefore unremarkable and consistent with a family SUV that has been used regularly for a mix of urban and rural journeys. That said, the cumulative wear associated with over 115,000 miles should not be underestimated, as consumables such as brake discs, suspension bushes, drive belts, coolant and automatic or manual transmission fluid will all have experienced significant working life. The most pressing area of concern from the MOT record relates to the Minor defects logged at the 2025 test concerning the track rod end ball joint dust covers on both sides and the front suspension arm ball joint dust covers on both sides. These rubber or polyurethane boots serve to keep dirt, grit, and moisture away from the articulating ball joints, and once they deteriorate the joints themselves become vulnerable to accelerated wear. On a test drive, a buyer should listen carefully for any clonking or knocking from the front end, particularly when traversing speed bumps, potholes, or while turning at low speed, and should check for uneven or feathered tyre wear across the front axle which is often the first visual indicator of a worn joint. While the boots were noted as still preventing ingress of dirt at the time of test, replacement is typically straightforward and inexpensive if tackled promptly, and the components themselves are unlikely to have failed outright; left unattended, however, they could progress to a failure category at the next MOT. The repeat advisories for wearing rear brake pads in 2023 and 2024 are equally worthy of attention. Although an advisory is not a failure, the fact that the same item has been flagged twice suggests the pads may have been allowed to wear down to a marginal level rather than being replaced, and a buyer should physically inspect the pad thickness through the wheel or have a garage measure remaining friction material. On test drive, any sign of rear brake shudder, inefficiency under load, or a grinding sensation would indicate the pads have finally worn to metal-on-metal contact. Beyond the recorded defects, given the vehicle's twelve-year age and high overall mileage, a comprehensive inspection should also cover tyre sidewalls for age-related perishing or cracking even if tread depth remains adequate, the condition and charge state of the 12 volt battery, signs of corrosion on the brake discs from short-cycle urban use, the integrity of the exhaust system including mounting rubbers and the catalytic converter, the state of the cooling system including hoses and water pump, and verification that the service book shows regular oil and filter changes at manufacturer-recommended intervals. Confirmation that the timing chain or belt has been replaced in line with Nissan's published schedule would also be highly advisable given the mileage now accumulated.