2015 Nissan Qashqai 1.2L Petrol · LB64 GPY

A clean bill of roadworthiness across five consecutive MOT tests, the latest being a pass on 22 January 2026 with zero advisories or failures recorded, presents an unusually tidy mechanical picture for this eleven-year-old Qashqai. There is no pattern of recurring brake, suspension, corrosion, or exhaust defects to suggest chronic wear, and the absence of advisories means no components were flagged as borderline at the most recent examination. That said, a completely empty advisory sheet on a vehicle of this age is worth treating with a degree of caution rather than as a definitive guarantee, as testers only record items meeting specific failure or advisory thresholds at the time of test. The overall trajectory is one of stable compliance rather than mechanical decline, but the thinness of the recorded data means a physical inspection remains essential. At 71,391 miles over eleven years, this Qashqai has covered roughly 6,490 miles annually, which sits comfortably within the expected band for a family crossover of its age. There are no gaps between annual tests suggesting long periods off the road, and the consistent year-on-year testing history implies regular use rather than extended standing. Mechanically, this kind of steady, moderate-mileage usage is generally kinder to components than either very low mileage with cold starts and infrequent running, or high mileage that accelerates wear on clutches, turbochargers, and suspension linkages. The drivetrain, including the timing chain, CV joints, and clutch assembly if fitted with a manual gearbox, should not yet be at the extreme end of its service life, though items such as the dual-mass flywheel, alternator, and starter motor are entering the window where replacement becomes plausible on a vehicle of this vintage. Because no specific components have been called out in the MOT history, your inspection needs to focus on the items that commonly affect Qashqais of this generation as they enter their second decade. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, particularly from the lower control arm bushes and front anti-roll bar drop links, which are known wear items. Feel for any vagueness or wander through the steering, as worn front strut bearings or tie rod ends can produce a reluctance to self-centre. Check the brake pedal for excessive travel or a spongy feel, and on a quiet stretch listen for any grinding or scraping from the front calipers, which can bind as the slider guides corrode. Under the bonnet, pay particular attention to the condition of the cam timing chain area for any rattling on cold start, as Qashqais of this era can develop stretched chains and worn tensioners beyond 70,000 miles. Inspect the underside for any oil seepage from the sump gasket, rocker cover, and around the turbo oil feed and return lines if applicable, as well as for any surface corrosion beginning to show on subframe mounting points and suspension arms, which would be the precursors to future MOT advisories. Examine all four tyres for even wear across the tread, as uneven shoulder wear can indicate alignment issues stemming from worn rear suspension bushes, a known weakness on this platform. Finally, confirm that the auxiliary belt, coolant, and transmission fluid have been changed in line with manufacturer schedules, and verify that the air conditioning system still blows cold, as condenser and compressor replacement on this model is a relatively common mid-life repair.