2015 Nissan Qashqai 1.2L Petrol · AX15 ODB

The most recent DVSA examination on 11 February 2026 returned a clean pass with no advisories or minor items recorded, which is a positive immediate indicator. However, the broader pattern across the last three tests shows a clear and persistent concern rather than a one-off issue. The 2024 and 2025 MOTs each carried advisories for a non-excessive oil leak from the engine, alongside repeat minor advisories on both the near and offside front suspension arm ball joint dust covers and both front track rod end ball joint dust covers. Because the same suspension and steering gaiter defects have now been flagged across two consecutive tests without being rectified, the trend is one of gradual deterioration rather than improvement, suggesting that the wear items were either left to progress or that replacement has not yet been carried out. With 95,593 miles recorded on an eleven-year-old vehicle, the annual usage works out at approximately 8,690 miles per year, which sits firmly within the typical range for a car of this age and is neither a low-use garage queen nor a high-mileage workhorse. There are no unusual gaps or sudden jumps in the mileage progression that would suggest clock irregularities or extended periods of standing, and the even accumulation implies regular driving that should have kept mechanical components lubricated, the 12V battery exercised, and the brake system free from prolonged corrosion pitting. That said, the wear now appearing on suspension joints is consistent with a chassis that has covered nearly 100,000 miles of mixed urban and main road use, and the oil leak advisories indicate that engine sealing components are beginning to show their age. For a prospective buyer, the dust covers on the suspension arms and track rod ends are specifically there to keep dirt and grit out of the ball joint assemblies; once they perish or split, water and debris ingress accelerate wear on the internal bearing surfaces, ultimately leading to looseness in the steering and front suspension geometry. On a test drive, listen carefully for clonks or knocks from the suspension over speed humps, broken road surfaces, and during full-lock low-speed manoeuvres, and feel for any vagueness, wandering, or vibration through the steering wheel which could indicate that the joints themselves are now worn rather than just the protective boots. The persistent oil leak should also be inspected physically by checking the underside of the engine and gearbox for fresh wet patches or accumulated grime, and it would be prudent to have the source identified, as common culprits on the Qashqai include the cam cover gasket, sump area, and front crankshaft seal, any of which will worsen over time and could lead to low oil levels if left unchecked. Beyond the recorded advisories, this age and mileage warrants a thorough physical appraisal. The tyres should be examined for both tread depth and, importantly, for sidewall cracking or perishing from age-related rubber degradation, particularly given that the original factory fitments may have been replaced several times by now. Brake discs should be inspected for a pronounced lip at the outer edge, indicating they are nearing their wear limit, and the calipers should be checked for smooth operation without sticking, as seized slider mechanisms are a known issue on higher-mileage vehicles of this age. Under the bonnet, verify the battery date stamp and test its state of charge, confirm that the coolant, brake fluid, and automatic or manual gearbox oil have been changed in line with calendar intervals rather than purely by mileage, and look for any staining of the timing chain area or evidence of recent timing chain replacement on the 1.2 DIG-T or 1.5 dCi units. Finally, request the full service history to confirm regular oil and filter changes at appropriate intervals, as the small recorded oil leak combined with 95,000 miles makes provenance and maintenance evidence particularly important for this Qashqai.