2010 Nissan Qashqai 1.5L Diesel · GF60 KZC

The March 2026 test at 95,033 miles returned a pass with a single advisory: a deteriorated dust cover on the offside front track rod end ball joint. This represents a modest improvement from the previous year, when the same component—along with its nearside counterpart—showed actual play and contributed to a failure. The maintenance trajectory appears stable to slightly improving, with the steering system now meeting minimum standards despite persistent wear to rubber protection on the joints. Annual mileage has remained remarkably consistent, advancing roughly 2,200 miles between February 2024 and February 2025, then only 379 miles across the subsequent twelve months to February 2025, and a mere 392 miles in the final year to March 2026. The vehicle has clearly transitioned to very light use. For a sixteen-year-old vehicle, the cumulative 95,033 miles remains below average, though the extremely low recent annual mileage raises questions about prolonged standing periods and associated risks such as brake corrosion, battery degradation, and seal deterioration. A recurring pattern of steering component wear demands particular attention. The nearside and offside front track rod end ball joints were flagged for play in February 2025, and while the nearside issue has resolved, the offside dust cover remains compromised. The 2023 advisory for a severely deteriorated offside front lower anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover further indicates that front suspension rubber components have been neglected. These items are consumable but their repeated appearance suggests either deferred replacement or use of substandard parts. Prospective buyers should prioritise a hands-on inspection of the entire steering and front suspension assembly, specifically confirming whether the track rod ends and anti-roll bar joints have been replaced with quality components or merely adjusted to pass. The rear brake pads flagged as wearing thin in February 2023 at 89,990 miles should now be thoroughly assessed for remaining material and evenness of wear, given the minimal mileage accumulated since. The nearside rear tyre advisory from February 2024 for cracking or perishing also warrants scrutiny of all rubber components—tyres, hoses, and bushings—for age-related degradation rather than wear from use.