2018 Nissan Qashqai 1.2L Petrol · DS18 MXB

A pattern of recurring brake-related advisories and one dangerous brake failure define the mechanical history of this 2018 Nissan Qashqai, making the braking system the single most important area to scrutinise before purchase. The vehicle passed its most recent test on 22 April 2026 with an advisory noting that the front brake pads are wearing thin, following a clean pass in April 2025 and a 2024 test that flagged both front nearside tyre wear and rear brake pad wear. More concerning is the April 2022 entry, which recorded a dangerous failure for front inner brake pads measuring less than 1.5 mm thick, accompanied by an advisory for an offside rear coil spring with poor fitment and another noting small floor pans fitted to the underside. While the intervening years have produced clean passes, the recurring front and rear brake pad advisories across multiple test cycles indicate that pad wear is a consistent characteristic of this vehicle, and the 2022 dangerous defect demonstrates that components have on occasion been allowed to reach a critically worn condition prior to test. With 115,932 miles recorded over an 8-year life, this Qashqai has averaged roughly 14,500 miles per year, which is notably high for its age class. There are no extended testing gaps visible in the record, with annual MOT tests consistently performed in each of the past five years, suggesting the vehicle has been in regular active use rather than laid up. However, this level of annual mileage places above-average demand on the consumables and mechanical items that have already surfaced in the advisories. Brake pads, discs, tyres, and suspension components such as coil springs and bushes all accumulate wear roughly in proportion to mileage, and a vehicle covering this distance annually will typically require replacement of these items more frequently than lower-mileage equivalents. Given the documented brake and suspension flags, a prospective buyer should carry out a focused test drive with these specific components in mind. For the braking system, listen for any grinding noise from the front calipers when pulling away from rest, particularly in damp conditions, as this can indicate worn pads or corrosion on the disc surface following the thin pad advisories. Test the pedal feel for any excessive travel or sponginess, which might suggest rear brake hydraulic issues or worn caliper sliding pins, and check under gentle and firm pedal pressure whether the vehicle pulls to one side, which can indicate uneven pad wear or a binding caliper. Inspect the inner and outer faces of all four wheels for pad material visible through the caliper window, and bear in mind that the 2022 dangerous failure was specifically for inner front pads, so visual inspection of both pad faces is essential rather than relying on what is visible through the wheel spokes alone. The suspension and tyre history also warrants specific attention on inspection. The 2022 advisory for an offside rear coil spring with poor fitment should prompt a check for any signs of vehicle sagging at the rear, knocking or clonking noises from the rear suspension over uneven surfaces, and visible cracking or distortion of the spring coils themselves. The 2024 advisories for nearside front tyre edge wear and offside rear tyre damage or perishing suggest inspecting all four tyres for uneven shoulder wear, which can indicate worn front suspension bushes, top mounts, or tracking misalignment, as well as closely examining sidewalls for any cracking, bulges, or impact damage. Finally, the noted floor pans fitted in 2022 mean the underside has non-standard protective panels, so a thorough inspection on a ramp or over a pit is advisable to confirm there is no significant structural corrosion hidden beneath those panels and that the underlying floor remains solid.