2016 Nissan Qashqai 1.5L Diesel · EO04 WYN

The mechanical story of this Qashqai is anchored by a single but significant rear brake imbalance failure recorded on 5 February 2025, which sits within a broader record otherwise characterised by clean passes. The vehicle passed its most recent test on 30 June 2026 with no defects recorded, and the prior pass on 30 January 2026 was also advisory-free apart from inspector notes about a child seat restricting belt inspection and items removed from the driver's view, both of which are procedural observations rather than mechanical concerns. The 2024 test was similarly clean, but the intervening 2025 entry shows that the rear braking system was unable to meet the axle balance requirement at that point, with the imbalance across axle 2 constituting a major defect. The advisories logged alongside that failure, relating to perished and misshapen rear tyres, further suggest that the rear axle area was not in optimal condition during that test cycle, even if the vehicle has since returned to a clean roadworthy state. Against a ten-year vehicle age, the recorded 68,734 miles equates to roughly 6,873 miles annually, which sits within normal expected usage for a family SUV of this type. The mileage gap between the February 2024 pass and the early 2025 test is minimal, and the subsequent jump to 68,734 miles by mid-2026 indicates consistent rather than sporadic use, with no extended off-road periods evident in the testing cadence. At this mileage, the mechanically significant wear items would typically include rear brake components, suspension bushes and links, and tyre condition, all of which align with the recorded advisory and failure pattern on the rear axle. The fact that two tests fall within the same week in February 2025, the second being a fail, indicates a borderline or contested braking performance that was ultimately judged non-compliant before being resolved for the subsequent passes. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the rear braking system, as the imbalance across axle 2 in early 2025 was the only major defect in the recorded history. On a test drive, listen for any grinding, squeal, or pulsation from the rear calipers, and check for uneven pad wear by inspecting the rear wheels through the spokes for binding or seized caliper mechanisms. The near-side and off-side rear inner tyres were flagged as perished and out of shape in 2025, so confirm that the current set is fresh, correctly sized, and showing even wear across both axles, and verify the sidewall date codes are recent. Given the age and mileage, it is also prudent to check for knocking or clonking from the rear suspension over uneven surfaces, as multi-link rear setups on the Qashqai are known to develop worn bushes and anti-roll bar links, and any play in these components would not yet be evident in MOT results but would manifest acoustically and through vague handling. Finally, given the vehicle's ten-year service life and the moisture and salt exposure typical of UK roads, a close visual inspection of the underbody and rear axle subframe mounting points is advisable, particularly around the brake pipe runs and handbrake mechanism, as corrosion in these areas can develop without yet triggering an MOT failure. The test drive should include firm pedal applications from moderate speed to confirm the rear brakes are pulling the vehicle up squarely without pulling to either side, and several stops from around 30 mph will help reveal any fading or imbalance that may have redeveloped since the 2025 rectification work. Confirm that the recent pass certificates correspond to work carried out on the rear brakes and that any replacement discs, pads, or calipers are documented, as this provides the clearest indication of what was done to resolve the major defect. With these targeted checks, the recorded MOT history suggests a vehicle that has recovered to a roadworthy condition, provided the rear braking and suspension components have been properly addressed.