2015 Nissan Qashqai 1.2L Petrol · LL15 XNF

The defining mechanical story of this Qashqai is a chronic and recurring issue with rear tyre sidewall deterioration, flagged at four consecutive MOT tests between 2022 and 2025. The pattern begins with advisories for rear tyres cracking in 2022, both rear sidewalls perished by 2023, persisting through 2024 and 2025 on the offside rear. While none of these observations were severe enough to constitute a failure, the repetition points to a vehicle exposed to environmental or storage conditions that accelerate rubber degradation, or a sourcing issue with the replacement tyres being fitted. Separately, a major failure was recorded in September 2025 for a malfunctioning tyre pressure monitoring system, although the same car passed the test later that same day, suggesting a sensor or electronic fault rather than a fundamental design problem. The most recent test on 9 July 2026 returned a clean pass with no advisories, indicating that the immediate tyre concerns and TPMS issue had been resolved at the time of testing, though the longer-term pattern of rubber deterioration remains a relevant consideration for any prospective buyer. Mileage accumulation across this eleven-year-old vehicle stands at 64,849 miles, equating to an average of roughly 5,895 miles annually, which is notably low for a Qashqai of this vintage. The MOT history shows tests in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, all conducted at broadly annual intervals with no extended gaps, suggesting the vehicle has remained in continuous use rather than being laid up for prolonged periods. The consistent annual testing pattern, combined with low mileage, typically points to a car used for shorter journeys, which in turn can accelerate certain wear patterns such as tyre sidewall cracking due to extended standing time, brake disc corrosion from infrequent heavy braking, and potential underfloor corrosion from damp short-trip operation without prolonged running to dry components out. Despite the clean pass recorded in 2026, the persistent advisory history warrants a focused physical inspection before purchase. The rear tyres should be examined closely for sidewall cracking, bulges, or perishing, and consideration given to replacing all four tyres regardless of remaining tread depth to break the recurring advisory pattern. The tyre pressure monitoring system should be checked for live operation, with a scan tool used to verify that all four wheel sensors are communicating and that no fault codes are stored, as intermittent TPMS faults can be difficult to replicate on a stationary vehicle. Given the likely short-journey usage profile, the brake discs and calipers should be inspected for surface corrosion and any signs of binding, and the underside of the vehicle, particularly the subframe, suspension arms, and brake pipes, examined for rust given the tyre cracking history which may indicate prolonged exposure to damp conditions. On a road test, particular attention should be paid to suspension refinement, as the Qashqai is known to develop wear in the rear torsion beam bushes and shock absorber mounts, which would manifest as clonking or knocking over uneven surfaces and a vague feeling of instability over bumps. Steering should be checked for any pull to one side, indicating either geometry issues or uneven brake operation, while the brake pedal should feel firm without excessive travel or judder under heavy application. The engine should be observed from cold start for any excessive smoke or rough running, and the transmission checked for smooth engagement and any clutch slip during hill starts. Given the low annual mileage, the 12V battery may benefit from a load test to confirm its state of health, and all fluids should be inspected for condition and level, as infrequent use can lead to degraded coolant and brake fluid that nevertheless would not have been flagged under MOT inspection criteria.