2009 Nissan Qashqai 1.6L Petrol · LO09 WXT

The most recent DVSA examination on 11 June 2026 resulted in a pass, though accompanied by advisories for both rear brake pads wearing thin and a minor defect for a severely deteriorated offside front inner constant velocity joint boot. Reviewing the chronological record reveals a vehicle that has consistently achieved pass certificates over a sustained period, yet the volume of advisories issued across consecutive tests suggests a pattern of steady wear rather than deterioration. Recurring issues have centred on the front suspension, with track rod end and lower suspension arm ball joint play noted in 2020, 2021 and 2022, front shock absorbers showing reduced damping effect in 2025, and brake components showing progressive wear across 2024 and 2026. The 2024 failure for headlamp aim too high is a relatively minor rectification and the advisories logged alongside it simply indicate items that were already on the technician's mind at that visit. The maintenance trend is best characterised as stable but indicative of a high-mileage vehicle requiring ongoing attention to consumables and chassis components. With approximately 156,921 miles recorded over 17 years, this Qashqai has covered an average of around 9,231 miles annually, which is broadly typical for its age class. There are no significant gaps in the MOT history that would suggest long periods of standing, and the continuous annual testing indicates a vehicle that has remained in regular use throughout its life. From a mechanical standpoint, this is generally beneficial, as regularly driven vehicles tend to suffer less from the effects of corrosion through inactivity, seized calipers, dried-out rubber seals and degraded fluids associated with standing. However, the substantial cumulative mileage means that the engine, transmission, clutch, turbocharger (if applicable) and drivetrain will have accumulated wear, and items such as timing chains, dual mass flywheels, engine mounts and injectors will be approaching or have exceeded typical service life thresholds for this type of vehicle. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the recurring chassis and steering issues identified in the MOT record. The front suspension ball joint play noted in 2020 and 2021, combined with the 2022 track rod end play and the 2025 advisory for reduced shock absorber damping effect, suggests the front suspension is due for comprehensive inspection. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocking noises over bumps, particularly at low speed over speed humps, and check for vagueness in steering response or uneven front tyre wear which can indicate worn bushes, top mounts or shock absorber failure. The front brake discs noted as worn in 2023 and the front brake pads flagged in 2024 warrant inspection for current pad thickness, disc run-out and any lipping on the disc perimeter. Brake shudder through the steering wheel under heavy braking would indicate warped or excessively worn discs requiring replacement. The rear brake pads flagged as wearing thin in the most recent test should be replaced promptly, and the condition of the rear discs should be examined for surface corrosion and minimum thickness compliance. The offside front inner constant velocity boot deterioration noted as a minor in both 2023 and 2026 indicates that either replacement has been overlooked or that the boot has deteriorated again, which warrants close inspection on a test drive. Listen for clicking or knocking from the front drivetrain during sharp turns at low speed, which is symptomatic of grease loss and consequent CV joint wear from a split boot, and visually inspect the boot itself for splits, perished rubber or grease contamination on the surrounding suspension components. Given the vehicle's age and mileage, additional age-related checks should be conducted regardless of MOT content, including inspection of tyre sidewalls for perishing and cracking, verification of recent tyre manufacture dates, assessment of all coolant hoses and drive belts for deterioration, checks for oil leaks around the engine and gearbox seals, examination of the exhaust system for corrosion particularly at mounting points and the rear silencer, and confirmation that the cambelt or timing chain service interval has been observed according to manufacturer schedule. Test the 12 volt battery under load if possible, verify brake fluid and coolant condition by colour and date of last replacement, and check that the air conditioning system functions effectively as compressor seals and condensers commonly fail on vehicles of this age.