2009 Nissan Qashqai 1.6L Petrol · LL09 WRE

A pattern of front-end wear and minor electrical defects dominates the recorded MOT history of this 2009 Nissan Qashqai, with the most recent test on 18 November 2024 returning a pass with no advisories recorded, though that result was secured only six days after a failed re-test on 12 November 2024. The failure involved multiple indicator and position lamp defects on both sides at the front, an inoperative offside rear indicator, and a split nearside front inner CV boot that was no longer preventing dirt ingress, the last of which is a drivetrain integrity issue rather than a simple bulb replacement. Earlier history shows two further failures, in 2021 for an insufficient washer jet and again in November 2022 for brake lever reserve travel, an offside rear stop lamp, and an inoperative registration plate lamp, each accompanied by advisory items. Across six tests spanning 2020 to 2024, advisories have clustered around suspension joints, steering components, brake discs and pads, and CV boots, suggesting ongoing consumption of front running gear that warrants close physical inspection. Mileage accumulation of 160,401 miles over roughly 17 years equates to approximately 9,435 miles annually, which sits in a broadly average band for a vehicle of this age. The recorded tests occur at reasonably regular intervals of one to two years, with no multi-year gaps that would suggest extended off-road storage, meaning the wear items observed are likely the result of consistent use rather than deterioration following long standing. That said, annual mileage in the high four-figure to low five-figure range over a sustained period places proportionate demand on the front suspension, steering rack, driveshafts and braking components, all of which appear repeatedly in the advisory and failure record. The pattern of advisories escalating to minor defects and then to a major CV boot failure is consistent with progressive wear on components that have now covered well over 150,000 miles of road use. A prospective buyer should focus a physical inspection on the front suspension and steering assembly, beginning with a check for play in the track rod end ball joint previously flagged on the offside front in 2023 and the steering rack inner joint noted on the offside front in 2021, both of which can be assessed by rocking the wheel at three and nine o'clock with the car on the ground and listening for clonks or feeling for slack. The front brake discs were marked as pitted and scored on both sides in 2020, and at this mileage a further check for lipped or corroded edges, along with a measurement of remaining friction material on the pads, is essential; a heavy pulsation through the brake pedal under firm application would suggest disc warpage. The nearside front inner CV boot was recorded as failed in November 2024, and although the subsequent pass indicates remediation, the joint itself should be inspected for grease loss and any clicking or vibration on full-lock manoeuvres, as contaminated CV joints can fail shortly after the boot is compromised. The gearbox mounting, marked as defective in 2022 and not re-recorded since, should be examined for cracking or separation of the rubber, typically felt as a clunk when selecting drive or reverse from neutral with the engine running. A test drive should include moderate speed runs over uneven surfaces to expose worn suspension bushes or top mount bearings, with particular attention to any knocking from the front end, and a low-speed check for pulling to either side which could indicate worn suspension links or tracking issues arising from the previously flagged steering components. Brake pedal feel and travel should be evaluated carefully given the 2022 failure for insufficient reserve travel, ensuring the pedal returns firmly without sinking under sustained pressure. Finally, all exterior lighting including front position lamps, indicators front and rear, stop lamps, and the number plate illumination should be functionally verified at the time of viewing, as several electrical defects recurred in the record within a short period, and tyre condition across all four corners warrants a close look given repeated advisories for edge wear on both front and rear axles.