2017 Nissan Qashqai 1.5L Diesel · BA66 OBP

A pattern of recurring front suspension wear is the defining mechanical characteristic of this Qashqai, with the most recent test on 4 February 2026 capturing the culmination of a multi-year deterioration that began as early as 2023. That inspection produced a fail for an excessively worn nearside front lower suspension ball joint, recorded as a major defect under item 5.3.4 (a) (i), despite the same submission also receiving a pass with no recorded defects. Looking back, the 2024 test flagged slight play in the offside front lower sub-frame ball joint, and the 2023 test noted wear to the nearside front lower suspension arm pin or bush, meaning the same general area of the front suspension geometry has been progressively deteriorating across four consecutive test cycles. The 2025 inspection added an offside rear brake pad advisory and a deteriorated anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover, demonstrating that the wear is not isolated to a single corner. The presence of a major failure so soon after the pass represents a borderline test outcome and warrants careful verification that the corrective work was actually completed and signed off. Annual mileage accumulation on this vehicle is notably high for its age, with 117,468 miles covered over approximately nine years, equating to roughly 13,000 miles per year on average. This rate of accumulation is considerably above the typical figure for a family crossover of this vintage and indicates consistent, sustained use rather than periods of standing. From a mechanical standpoint, this usage profile accelerates wear on the very components that have already shown problems: suspension linkages, ball joints, brake pads, and tyres will deplete faster under higher mileage, while engine and transmission internals carry greater thermal and load cycling. The MOT record shows testing on an almost exactly annual cadence with no significant gaps, which corroborates a vehicle that has been in regular daily service rather than one subjected to intermittent or seasonal use. A prospective buyer should treat the front suspension as the primary area of inspection, particularly the lower arms, sub-frame mountings, and anti-roll bar linkages that have appeared repeatedly across the history. On a test drive, listen for clonking or rattling noises from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, particularly from the nearside where the major failure was recorded, and feel for vagueness or looseness through the steering when turning at low speed. With the vehicle unloaded, rock each front wheel top-to-bottom and side-to-side to check for play in the ball joints and bushes, and pay particular attention to any knocking that transmits through the bulkhead. The fact that the sub-frame ball joint showed play in 2024 and the arm bush in 2023 means both sides should be inspected even if only one has been flagged in any given year. Brake condition also warrants direct verification given the front pad advisory in 2024 and the offside rear pad advisory in 2025, alongside the front brake binding noted in 2024. On a test drive, expect the car to pull straight under firm braking without any judder through the pedal, and listen for any grinding or scraping from the rear offside wheel which would indicate the pads have worn beyond the advisory state. Check that the brake pedal feels firm and does not sink under sustained pressure. The 2023 record of front tyres worn close to the legal limit on both edges is consistent with the suspension geometry problems and may recur if the repair work has not properly restored alignment, so inspect the current tyres for inner or outer edge wear patterns. Finally, the recurring windscreen damage minor advisories should prompt a close visual check of the screen for any crack propagation, particularly around the driver's primary viewing zone, before purchase.