2012 Nissan Qashqai 1.5L Diesel · EX62 DVG

A clean and largely unblemished MOT history defines this fourteen year old Nissan Qashqai, with the most recent assessment on 23 December 2025 returning a pass alongside a separate fail entry that, unusually, lists no defects or components at fault. Both 2025 tests, taken on the same day, appear to reflect an administrative situation rather than mechanical decline, and the 7 January 2025 test followed the same dual pass and fail pattern, again with no advisories or failure items recorded. The earlier 3 January 2024 pass was similarly clean, meaning across three consecutive annual tests there is no recorded wear, corrosion, fluid leak, suspension component deterioration, brake issue, or emission concern on file. For a vehicle of this age and platform, a defect-free MOT sheet of this consistency is a strong indicator of structural and mechanical integrity, particularly around the common Qashqai weakness areas of rear suspension bushes, front subframe corrosion, and exhaust mounting points. At 79,007 miles against a 2012 registration, this Qashqai has averaged only around 5,600 miles per year over its life, which is well below the typical 8,000 to 10,000 mile annual usage expected for a family crossover. Such a low accumulation rate suggests a vehicle that has either spent considerable periods off the road or been used predominantly for short, light journeys rather than sustained motorway driving. Mechanically, this profile can be a double edged sword; the engine, clutch, and gearbox internals will have seen less thermal cycling and load than a higher mileage example, which is favourable for longevity, but low annual mileage frequently coincides with ageing rubber components, dried suspension bushes, and brake discs and calipers that have developed surface corrosion from infrequent use. Standing periods can also allow moisture to accumulate in the exhaust system and underbody cavities, increasing the risk of surface rust even where MOT testing has not yet flagged it. For a prospective buyer, the absence of recorded advisories means there are no specific components flagged for monitoring, but the low mileage and age combination still warrant a focused physical inspection on areas commonly affected on this generation of Qashqai. On a test drive, listen carefully for clonks or knocks from the rear suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly at low speed, as the rear beam and trailing arm bushes are known to deteriorate with age even without covering high miles. Steering should feel precise with no vagueness, knocking through the rack, or pulling to one side under braking, and the brake pedal should feel firm and progressive without judder, which could indicate warped front discs from corrosion pitting. Visually inspect the underside, paying attention to the front subframe and suspension arms for any bubbling or flaking corrosion, the brake pipes and fuel lines for surface rust, and the exhaust system for any signs of blueing, weeping joints, or excessive mounting wear that may not yet have reached MOT failure thresholds. Given the unusually low annual mileage, it is also worth confirming that the vehicle has been regularly serviced regardless of distance covered, as time based items such as coolant, brake fluid, drive belts, and the timing chain on the 1.5 and 1.6 dCi units will still require replacement at calendar based intervals. Check the service history for evidence of cambelt or timing chain replacement within the manufacturer's recommended window, and verify that the brake fluid has been renewed, as a fourteen year old fluid will be well past its hygroscopic service life and prone to boiling under sustained braking. Finally, ask to see evidence of recent battery replacement, as low usage patterns frequently lead to premature 12V battery failure, and inspect the tyres for both age related sidewall cracking and even wear patterns, since lightly used vehicles can sometimes display inner shoulder wear from under inflation during prolonged storage rather than from active driving.