2021 Nissan Qashqai 1.3L Petrol · BN21 XMW

The mechanical story of this 2021 Nissan Qashqai centres on its front suspension ball joints, which represent the only structural defect recorded across four MOT tests spanning two years. On 13 May 2026 the vehicle passed, but just four days earlier it failed on major defects for both the nearside and offside front suspension arm ball joint dust covers, which were recorded as no longer preventing the ingress of dirt. The same test also flagged an advisory for slight damage and perishing to the offside front tyre, which carried over to the subsequent pass. Earlier history is broadly clean, with a pass in May 2024 free of advisories and a similar clean pass on 4 May 2025, though the latter test produced an immediate failure on the same day for an ineffective windscreen wiper that was not cleared at the time of the recorded pass. The combination of a same-day fail-then-pass pattern and the recent front suspension dust cover failures gives the record a mixed character rather than a uniformly clean one, and the suspension findings are the single most significant mechanical concern a buyer must address. Against an age of roughly five years, the recorded mileage of 53,791 equates to an annual accumulation of around 10,758 miles, which sits broadly within typical parameters for a vehicle of this vintage and suggests consistent rather than extreme use. There are no extended gaps in testing that would imply long periods off the road, and the mileage progression between tests appears steady rather than indicative of heavy commercial or motorway-only mileage. Consistent annual use of this nature generally produces predictable wear on consumable items such as brake pads, discs, tyres and wiper blades, and the absence of advisories relating to brake condition across all four tests is a neutral point rather than a positive endorsement, as MOT brake inspections are visual and do not quantify remaining friction material. The wiper blade failure in 2025 and the tyre advisory in 2026 are consistent with a vehicle in regular service, and no mileage anomalies undermine confidence in the recorded odometer readings. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection area is the front suspension, specifically the lower control arm ball joints on both sides. Dust cover failure allows dirt and moisture to enter the joint, accelerating wear of the internal bearing surface; even if the covers have been replaced since the May 2026 test, the joints themselves may have sustained latent damage that does not manifest immediately. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end when traversing speed humps, potholes or uneven surfaces, and feel for any vagueness or shimmy through the steering wheel, particularly under braking or on cambers. With the vehicle raised or with the front wheels unloaded, attempt to rock each front tyre top to bottom and side to side to detect play in the joints, and inspect the rubber dust covers directly for splits, tears, or signs of fresh grease migration. Equally, confirm that the suspension arms themselves have not sustained corrosion, as Qashqais of this generation are known to develop surface oxidation around the front subframe mounting areas. The tyre advisory recorded on the offside front in 2026 warrants a close visual check of all four tyres for cracking, sidewall bulges, or uneven shoulder wear, and the buyer should confirm that replacements were fitted to both front positions rather than just one, as uneven tyre condition at the front axle can destabilise handling and trigger premature suspension wear. Given the wiper failure at the 2025 test, verify that the wiper linkage and motor operate smoothly across the full sweep without smearing or stalling, and that the blades themselves are recent. Finally, although not flagged in the MOT record, request a diagnostic scan for any stored suspension-related fault codes and confirm that the steering rack gaiters and anti-roll bar drop links are intact, as these components are commonly replaced alongside ball joint dust covers on this model. Any hesitation from the seller regarding inspection of the front suspension, or refusal to allow a test on an uneven road surface, should be treated as a material concern given the recent major failure history in that area.