2018 Nissan Qashqai 1.2L Petrol · LO18 PDY

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 15 July 2026, with three advisories recorded relating to thin nearside and offside rear brake pads and a slightly distorted offside front road wheel. Looking at the broader DVSA history, this is the seventh pass out of eight tests since 2021, with the single failure occurring in July 2024 due to a split nearside front inner CV joint boot, which was presumably rectified to allow the subsequent pass just one day later. The maintenance trend appears broadly stable but with a clear and recurring theme around brake condition and an ongoing advisory on the offside front wheel distortion, which has been flagged in three of the last three tests. This pattern suggests the front wheel issue has not been resolved and warrants close physical inspection, while the brake-related advisories indicate consumable wear progressing in line with expectations for a vehicle of this age and mileage. Recorded mileage of 35,420 against a vehicle age of approximately eight years equates to an annual usage rate of around 4,428 miles, which is notably low and well below the typical annual mileage of 7,000 to 10,000 miles for a car of this type. This low usage profile brings its own mechanical considerations, as vehicles that cover limited mileage or stand for extended periods are more susceptible to corrosion on brake discs due to lack of regular use, deterioration of rubber components, and degradation of time-sensitive fluids such as brake fluid, coolant, and engine oil, which can lose their protective properties through age rather than mileage. There are no significant mileage gaps in the recorded history, suggesting consistent but light use rather than long periods off the road. Given the advisory on tyre cracking and perishing recorded in 2025, and the general susceptibility of tyres fitted to low-mileage vehicles to sidewall deterioration from age, all four tyres should be physically inspected for signs of perishing, cracking, or brittleness, particularly on the sidewalls, regardless of remaining tread depth. The brake system also demands thorough attention. The recorded advisories on rear brake pad wear and pitted or scored brake discs indicate that the braking components have been subject to corrosion, likely exacerbated by low mileage and infrequent use. On a test drive, listen for any binding or dragging sensation indicating seized calipers, and check for brake shudder or vibration under firm pedal application, which would confirm disc runout from corrosion or uneven wear. Additionally, a firm pedal with poor initial bite could suggest corrosion buildup on the discs, while uneven tyre wear across an axle might indicate a sticking caliper or suspension component wear. Attention should also be directed toward the front suspension and drivetrain. The recurring offside front road wheel distortion advisory, present across the last three tests, merits close inspection as it could indicate a buckled or cracked alloy wheel which may cause vibration through the steering at speed or under braking. The history of CV joint boot issues on the nearside front, both as a minor advisory in 2022 and a major failure in 2024, suggests this area has been subject to repeated deterioration, and any renewed signs of grease contamination around the inner CV joint or clicking noises on full-lock turns would indicate the joint itself may now require attention. Finally, despite the low mileage, the 12V battery may be approaching the end of its typical service life of five to six years, brake fluid should be tested for water content as it degrades with age regardless of mileage, and verification of recent service history, particularly evidence of cambelt or timing chain inspection and oil changes carried out on a time rather than mileage basis, is essential to confirm proper ongoing maintenance.