2016 Nissan Qashqai 1.6L Petrol · LN66 PXW

The Nissan Qashqai’s most recent MOT history reveals a concerning pattern of repeated failures tied to basic maintenance oversights, despite passing tests in between. The October 2025 test at 38,475 miles failed twice—once for exposed tyre cords on both front tyres, a critical defect that should have been addressed before the test. This mirrors the October 2024 failure, where the engine management light malfunction and a torn suspension arm dust cover were flagged, yet the vehicle passed on the same day. The October 2023 test, by contrast, showed no defects, suggesting the issues are intermittent rather than structural. The trend here is unstable: while the car can pass an MOT when well-maintained, it consistently fails on avoidable wear items, indicating either sporadic upkeep or deliberate neglect of simple checks. The mileage of 38,475 over ten years—around 3,848 miles annually—is unusually low for a vehicle of this age, typically suggesting either infrequent use or prolonged periods of inactivity. The gaps between tests are standard (annual), but the mileage jumps—from 31,692 in October 2023 to 34,061 in October 2024 (2,369 miles in a year) and then to 38,475 in October 2025 (4,414 miles)—hint at occasional bursts of use rather than steady driving. This low-mileage pattern reduces wear on major components like brakes and suspension, but it also means consumables like tyres and fluids may have been overlooked, as evidenced by the exposed tyre cords in 2025. For a buyer, the primary red flags lie in the suspension and tyre condition. The 2024 failure noted a torn dust cover on the offside front suspension arm ball joint, which risks accelerated wear or contamination—this should be inspected for play, noise, or corrosion. The repeated tyre failures (exposed cords) suggest basic upkeep was skipped, so a thorough check of tread depth, sidewalls, and rotation history is essential. Additionally, the engine management light issue in 2024, though not repeated, implies either a faulty sensor or a minor emissions-related fault that may resurface. Structural integrity appears sound given the lack of corrosion advisories, but a pre-purchase inspection should verify no hidden rust in wheel arches or underseal degradation from infrequent use.