2015 Nissan Qashqai 1.6L Diesel · K15 VCK

The 2015 Nissan Qashqai presents a mixed roadworthiness profile with three notable events across its eleven-year history. Four consecutive MOT tests from January 2024 through January 2023 were clean with no defects or advisories, followed by a major failure in January 2023 involving the nearside front Macpherson strut top bush or bearing showing excessive wear or free play, and a subsequent advisory in January 2021 regarding front tyres being worn close to legal limits and worn on the edge. The latest test on 2026-01-20 returned a passing result, indicating that the vehicle has remained roadworthy since the 2023 failure, though the single major failure remains the most significant red flag in the recent history. Overall, the record demonstrates stability with one serious interruption to an otherwise clean service interval pattern. At 52,876 miles on an eleven-year-old vehicle, the car accumulates approximately 4,807 miles annually, which is substantially below the typical range expected for a model of this age and class. The gap between the January 2023 failure and the January 2024 pass suggests the vehicle was kept under control until the strut issue arose, after which the system appears to have stabilized again. Low mileage such as this indicates either infrequent driving or extended periods of inactivity, both of which reduce the cumulative wear on suspension bushings, brake components, and drivetrain parts compared to vehicles with higher usage profiles. While the current mileage level minimizes immediate concerns about component life expectancy, the underlying damage from the 2023 failure may still be present in the affected suspension assembly even if the vehicle now passes its MOT. The nearside front Macpherson strut top bush or bearing failure identified in January 2023 represents a critical concern for handling and safety, as excessive wear or free play in this component typically manifests as a knocking or clunking noise over bumps and a pronounced jump or bounce when the front wheel is turned. During a test drive, the buyer should pay particular attention to how the vehicle responds on rough sections, listening for any metallic knocks that would indicate the strut mount is allowing excessive movement. Additionally, the prior front tyre advisory from January 2021, which noted tyres worn close to legal limits and on the edge, suggests that the original tyre compound or inflation pressure may have contributed to accelerated wear, particularly given the low total mileage which often masks progressive degradation that becomes visible only after many kilometres are driven. Beyond the identified issues, the buyer should also inspect the rear suspension mounting points and the subframe for signs of rust or structural fatigue, as the vehicle's unusually low mileage does not guarantee the absence of hidden corrosion problems that may have developed slowly over the years. The braking system showed no persistent problems in any recorded MOT, but given the high number of front tyres that were already compromised in 2021, verifying pad thickness and rotor condition is prudent regardless of current appearance. Ultimately, the strategic value of this vehicle lies in its continued compliance status following the 2023 repair, but the purchaser must verify that the struts, tyres, and general condition align with expectations before committing to ownership.