2015 Nissan Qashqai 1.6L Diesel · LP64 TSV

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 5 March 2026 with no defects recorded, representing a strong and reassuring outcome. However, just two days earlier on 3 March 2026, it failed with a mix of dangerous, major, and advisory items, including illegal rear tyre tread, a fractured rear coil spring, and a leaking front shock absorber, before passing on a retest. The maintenance trend across the broader DVSA history is mixed. The 2023 and 2022 tests were both clean, but the 2025 test carried an advisory for light shock absorber oil misting, which directly foreshadowed the major fluid leak failure in March 2026. The pattern suggests that some components have been progressively deteriorating rather than being addressed at advisory stage, and a prospective buyer should therefore not assume the clean 2026 result means the vehicle is fault free. The previous advisories for loose exhaust heatshields in 2020 and 2021 further indicate a recurring tendency for heat shielding to work loose on this example. With 176,523 miles recorded over approximately 11 years, the Qashqai is accumulating around 16,000 miles annually, which is notably high for its age and points to sustained long-distance or commuter use. There are no significant gaps in the MOT record, so mileage accumulation has been steady rather than interrupted by long periods of standing. High annual mileage of this nature accelerates wear on consumables and mechanical components, including clutches if manual, automatic transmission components, suspension bushes, engine mounts, and turbocharger hardware on the diesel variants. The fact that the odometer has continued to climb consistently without any test dates being missed is a positive indicator of regular use, but it places greater emphasis on verifying recent servicing and the condition of higher wear items. The most recent failure items warrant close physical inspection even though the vehicle subsequently passed. The nearside front shock absorber had a serious fluid leak, meaning it has almost certainly been replaced; the buyer should confirm with documentation that new dampers were fitted and ideally check that the opposite side has also been attended to, since the 2025 advisory noted light misting on that same shock. A fractured offside rear coil spring is a serious structural failure that compromises handling and tyre contact, and a replacement spring should be verified with a receipt. The dangerous rear tyre tread failures suggest the previous owner ran the tyres to the absolute legal minimum or beyond, indicating a possible pattern of deferred tyre replacement. During a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking from the front suspension over bumps, observe whether the vehicle sits level, and check for any pulling to one side under braking, which could point to remaining suspension weakness. Given the high mileage, the buyer should also conduct several age and wear related inspections beyond the MOT record. Brake discs and pads should be examined for lipping, surface corrosion, and remaining pad material, particularly on the rear axle where an advisory for thin pads was recorded at the recent failure; uneven tyre wear across the rear should also be looked for, as this may indicate lingering suspension issues from the broken spring. The brake fluid and engine coolant should be considered overdue for renewal based on calendar age regardless of mileage, and the 12V battery is likely approaching the end of its service life on an eleven year old vehicle. Check the underside for any signs of oil leaks from the engine or transmission, inspect the condition of the exhaust system and catalytic converter security given the recurring loose heatshield advisories, and verify that the service book or digital history shows regular oil and filter changes at sensible intervals. A compression or diagnostic check on the engine would also be prudent given the high overall mileage, to confirm internal mechanical health before committing to purchase.