2009 Nissan Qashqai 2.0L Diesel · DN09 VLG

The vehicle achieved a Pass at its most recent MOT on 29 January 2025, although it carries a continuing advisory for an oil leak, but not excessive. The preceding day recorded a Fail with four major defects, primarily relating to a damaged front registration plate, an inoperative number plate lamp, a non-functioning rear fog lamp, and two missing offside front road wheel fixings. These are mostly external, easily rectified issues rather than structural or mechanical failures, and the vehicle was returned to the road the following day once corrected. Across the broader history, the car has accumulated a steady stream of advisories and minors relating to oil leaks, front brake disc wear, a worn nearside front shock absorber bush, a deteriorated offside front suspension arm ball joint dust cover, and a worn nearside front sub-frame bush. Taken together, the trend suggests a vehicle that is fundamentally roadworthy but is exhibiting progressive wear on suspension and braking components consistent with its age and high accumulated mileage, rather than any acute deterioration in mechanical condition. At 281,282 recorded miles over approximately 17 years, this Qashqai has covered around 16,500 miles annually, which is well above average for its class and age. MOT records are present at roughly annual intervals from 2019 onwards, indicating the vehicle has been in regular active use with no extended periods of standing. Such sustained high mileage places considerably greater demand on the engine, transmission, clutch, suspension, braking system, and drivetrain components than a lower-mileage example would have experienced. The 2022 failure showing the engine management indicator lamp inoperative or indicating a malfunction warrants particular attention, as intermittent emissions or sensor faults on a high-mileage petrol or diesel unit can signal underlying issues with lambda sensors, catalyst efficiency, or ignition system components. While no MIL warning is currently recorded, a prospective buyer should satisfy themselves that any underlying fault was properly diagnosed and rectified at the time. Given the recurring advisory for oil leakage, a thorough under-bonnet inspection is essential. On a test drive, listen for any change in engine note indicative of wear, watch the oil warning light on startup, and check the underside for fresh drips from the sump, cam cover, or oil filter housing. The front brake discs were previously noted as worn, pitted, or scored, so on test drive listen for any brake shudder through the steering wheel under firm application, and inspect the discs for lipping and the pads for remaining material. The suspension has shown wear across the front sub-frame bush, shock absorber bush, and a deteriorated ball joint dust cover, so listen for clonks or knocking over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, and check for uneven front tyre wear which would suggest bushes or alignment issues. Test for any wandering or instability at speed, which can point to worn front suspension components. The missing road wheel fixings recorded on two separate occasions are a serious safety concern if they reflect improper wheel removal and refitting rather than absent studs, so physically verify that all wheel bolts are present, correctly torqued, and that the wheels are seated properly. With calendar-aged components regardless of mileage, inspect all tyres for sidewall perishing and cracking, confirm the 12V battery is holding charge with no slow cranking, and verify that brake fluid, coolant, and transmission oil have been changed in line with time-based schedules rather than purely mileage intervals. The supplementary restraint system warning lamp advisory from 2023 should be checked by confirming the airbag warning light performs its correct bulb check sequence at ignition, as any persistent illumination indicates a potential airbag or pretensioner fault. Finally, given the 281,000 miles covered, a compression test or oil analysis, along with evidence of recent cambelt or timing chain servicing, would be highly advisable before purchase.