2018 Nissan Qashqai 1.2L Petrol · DS18 MFN

A clear pattern emerges across six recorded MOT tests on this Qashqai: the vehicle has passed every annual inspection without a single recorded failure, yet the brake system has attracted advisories in three of the last four tests, signalling progressively worn friction material and disc surface deterioration. The most recent examination on 11 February 2026 was a clean pass with no defects recorded, but the 2025 test flagged a pitted or scored front brake disc alongside wearing-thin pads at the offside front and both rear pads. This follows a 2024 advisory for an offside front service brake that fluctuated under application, and a 2021 advisory for thin front and rear brake pads on both sides. The trajectory points to a braking system now likely operating with marginal pad material and a thermally-stressed front disc, even though no component has yet crossed the fail threshold. With 86,382 miles recorded on an eight-year-old vehicle, the annual accumulation works out at roughly 10,800 miles per year, which sits broadly in line with average usage for a car of this age and segment. There are no extended gaps in the testing history and no sudden year-on-year mileage jumps that would suggest clock irregularities or prolonged off-road storage. That consistency supports the assumption of continuous, regular use, which in mechanical terms means consumables such as brake friction material, tyres, and suspension dampers have all been subjected to steady wear rather than suffering the sudden component shocks that can follow long lay-ups followed by heavy use. For a prospective buyer, the brake system must be the priority focus of any physical inspection and test drive. Confirm the current pad thickness on all four corners and the disc wear limit on the front rotors, as the 2025 advisory suggests the offside front disc may be approaching the minimum thickness and the rear pads could now be due for replacement if they were not attended to after that test. On a road test, listen for any metallic grinding or squeal under light braking, feel for pedal pulsation or judder through the footbrake that would indicate the pitted disc catching the pads unevenly, and check for any pulling to one side which could indicate a binding caliper following on from the fluctuating offside front service brake noted in 2024. Beyond the brake items, attention should turn to the suspension and underbody, which are typical wear areas for a Qashqai of this mileage and age. On the test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which would indicate worn anti-roll bar drop links or bottom arm bushes, and feel for any vagueness or knocking through the steering rack over rough tarmac. Inspect the coil springs for any broken ends, examine the exhaust system and heat shields for corrosion-induced rattles, and check under the bonnet for any oil misting around the cam cover or valve cover gasket. Tyres should also be closely examined for inner shoulder wear, which on this model often points to worn rear suspension bushes or alignment issues rather than simple inflation neglect.