2010 Nissan Qashqai 1.6L Petrol · BN60 WHE

The defining mechanical story of this 2010 Nissan Qashqai is a progressive pattern of front-end wear and rear underbody corrosion that has culminated in two MOT failures across the recorded history, with braking and suspension components repeatedly flagged over the last four years. The most recent test on 12 December 2025 resulted in a pass, but it followed a failure the day before where nearside rear brake pads were recorded below the 1.5 mm dangerous threshold, the offside front lower suspension arm rear bush was classified as excessively worn, an electronic stability control warning lamp was active, and the offside rear service brake was fluctuating. Earlier in 2022, a similar scenario unfolded when dangerous brake defects were identified at the front along with a failed headlamp aim and an airbag warning lamp fault. Across the four passes recorded since 2021, advisories have consistently appeared for suspension arm pin or bush wear at the front, rear subframe and suspension arm corrosion, front brake disc pitting, and more recently an oil leak, demonstrating that while the vehicle has remained broadly roadworthy, it has required ongoing attention to chassis and brake consumables throughout its middle age. At 109,407 miles over sixteen years, this Qashqai has averaged roughly 6,840 miles per year, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a vehicle of this age and class. The testing record itself shows annual or near-annual MOT submissions from 2021 onwards, with no significant gaps that would suggest a long period off the road, indicating the mileage accumulation is steady rather than sporadic. There are no recorded mileage jumps between tests that would suggest inconsistent use, and the consistent year-on-year testing pattern suggests the vehicle has been in regular service. Mechanically, this level of mileage on a sixteen-year-old Nissan places predictable demand on the suspension bushes, anti-roll bar links, brake discs and pads, drive shaft boots, and the structural subframe areas, all of which have appeared in the MOT record at various points. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection areas are the front suspension and braking systems. Given the repeated advisories on front suspension arm pins and bushes, the dangerous front brake pad and disc failures recorded in 2022, and the dangerous nearside rear brake pad failure in 2025, a close mechanical inspection should be carried out by lifting the vehicle to check pad material thickness on all four corners, disc condition including lip measurement and scoring depth, and the integrity of the front lower suspension arm rear bushes in particular. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed bumps and uneven surfaces, which would indicate worn bushes or anti-roll bar links, and feel for any vibration or judder through the brake pedal under firm application that might suggest disc run-out or thickness variation. The offside rear brake was also flagged as fluctuating in 2025, so any pulling or imbalance under braking should be noted carefully. The corrosion advisories on the rear subframe and suspension arms warrant a thorough underbody examination with a torch, paying particular attention to the rear subframe mounting points and the suspension arm material itself, as corrosion at these locations can progress beyond the advisory stage if left unchecked. The oil leak noted in December 2025 should be traced to identify whether it originates from the engine sump, valve cover gasket, or a camshaft seal, as the source will determine the urgency and cost of rectification. With respect to the electronic stability control and supplementary restraint system warning lamps that have appeared in 2025 and 2022 respectively, it is essential to confirm whether these faults have been properly diagnosed and cleared using a diagnostic tool rather than simply reset, as intermittent sensor faults on these systems can recur. Finally, the nearside front inner drive shaft CV boot split recorded in 2023 should be visually inspected to confirm it has been replaced and the joint is still clean and packed with grease, as a perished boot will rapidly destroy the CV joint if contaminants have entered.