2016 Nissan Qashqai 1.5L Diesel · AY66 SMV

The vehicle remains roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a worsening condition regarding front suspension geometry. While it passed the latest test in December 2025 at 74,022 miles, the tester identified a severely deteriorated nearside front suspension arm ball joint dust cover and play in the nearside track rod end. These issues represent a direct progression from the previous December 2024 test at 68,074 miles, where the ball joint dust cover was already flagged. This suggests that minor mechanical defects were not addressed between intervals, leading to escalating component wear. The mileage pattern is consistent with a ten-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 7,400 miles per year. There is a steady accumulation of mileage, with roughly 12,000 miles recorded between January 2023 and December 2024, and another 6,000 miles in the year following the previous test. This regular use suggests the car has not been stationary for long periods, though the low annual mileage explains the tyre perishing and sidew cracking noted in the 2022 and 2023 records. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension assembly. The recurring failures of the ball joint dust cover and track rod end indicate that the steering and suspension components are nearing end of life. Attention should also be paid to the nearside front tyre for uneven wear, as the 2024 advisory noted it was already worn close to the legal limit. Given the history of perishing tyres, the age and condition of all rubber components should be checked for dry rot regardless of remaining tread depth.