2011 Nissan Qashqai 1.5L Diesel · FY61 PJV

The most recent MOT on 2025-09-01 showed the vehicle passed with minor issues: an oil leak (not excessive), a loose exhaust heat shield, an inoperative nearside registration plate lamp, and slight front tyre edge wear. These were not safety-critical but indicate ongoing maintenance needs. The 2024-08-06 MOT failure revealed serious defects, including weakened offside rear brake discs, brake pads below 1.5 mm, and excessive play in both front track rod ends. These issues were likely addressed before the 2025 retest, as the vehicle passed, but the severity of the 2024 failure raises concerns about brake and steering integrity. Recurring mechanical patterns include brake component wear, steering play, and tyre edge wear. The 2023 MOT noted fluctuating service brakes, nearside rear tyre wear, and steering rack play, while the 2024 failure highlighted critical brake and steering faults. These suggest potential underlying issues with brake systems, suspension alignment, or steering geometry. While the 2025 MOT showed improvement, the persistence of tyre wear and minor leaks implies ongoing maintenance demands. The trend is unclear—some issues were resolved, but others reappeared, indicating possible incomplete repairs or progressive wear. The vehicle’s mileage of 105,311 miles over 15 years equates to ~7,021 miles annually, which is typical for its age.