2018 Nissan Qashqai 1.5L Diesel · BP18 AOG

A clear pattern of escalating front suspension wear and recurring brake deterioration defines the mechanical profile of this 2018 Nissan Qashqai, with the most recent test on 13 April 2026 culminating in a fail that included a Dangerous rear brake pad reading under 1.5 mm alongside a Major nearside front suspension arm ball joint defect. The trajectory is notable because the nearside front ball joint was first flagged as having slight play in April 2023 and was left to progress over three further test cycles until it was finally classified as excessively worn in 2026, while rear brake pad wear has been flagged as thinning on every test since 2023 and has now reached a dangerously low friction material thickness. The shock absorber oil misting noted in 2026 is comparatively minor but consistent with a vehicle that has covered substantial road mileage. Braking components have also shown persistent deterioration: front discs were noted as pitted and scored in 2024, and both rear discs were similarly recorded as worn and pitted by March 2025, indicating a coordinated pattern of friction and brake hardware wear rather than isolated incidents. Annual mileage averages around 12,049 miles over the eight-year recorded period, which is high for the vehicle's age and places it firmly in the upper tier of usage for this model. The testing history is broadly continuous year on year with no prolonged gaps or long lay-up periods, suggesting the car has been in regular daily use rather than sporadic operation, which means consumable wear on brake pads, discs, tyres and suspension joints is more advanced than would typically be expected at this age. The cumulative effect of this usage is visible in the density of advisories recorded across the four most recent tests, particularly across braking and suspension components that are subject to direct mechanical stress during normal driving. A buyer should not interpret this mileage as an indicator of mechanical soundness, but rather as a quantitative reflection of wear that is already evident in the MOT record. Prospective buyers should concentrate their physical inspection on the front suspension geometry, particularly the nearside lower arm ball joint, which should be checked for any looseness, clunking over speed bumps, or vague steering response at low speeds. Lift tests or a visual check underneath for perished or torn rubber bushes on the front arms would be worthwhile, given the documented progression of ball joint wear. The brake system warrants close attention: the rear pads were last recorded as dangerously thin and will likely require immediate replacement, while the rear discs noted as pitted and scored in 2025 will probably also need replacement if not already addressed. On the test drive, listen for brake pedal pulsation under firm application and check that the vehicle pulls up in a straight line without steering pull, as binding calipers or uneven pad wear often accompany the kind of disc deterioration recorded. The tyres should also be examined closely for cracking and perishing on both sidewalls, as this was noted on the nearside and offside fronts in early 2025 and may have progressed given the vehicle's continued use. The nearside front shock absorber misting recorded in April 2026 should be checked for any further leakage and for ride quality over uneven surfaces, as misting can develop into a more substantial seal failure if left unchecked. Finally, verify the condition of the nearside door mirror, which was recorded as seriously damaged in the 2024 fail; while a relatively straightforward replacement, it confirms that exterior trim has been subjected to wear or impact damage at some point in the vehicle's recent life. Given the high annual mileage, the recurring brake and suspension advisories, and the recent dangerous-level brake pad failure, this Qashqai should be regarded as a vehicle requiring meaningful mechanical attention in the short term rather than one whose roadworthiness can be taken at face value from the most recent pass certificate.