2017 Nissan Qashqai 1.2L Petrol · LR67 FUG

The defining mechanical thread in this Qashqai's history is one of broadly consistent roadworthiness with a slow drift of advisories that point to a vehicle now entering the mid-life wear phase typical of its age and mileage bracket. Across five consecutive MOT tests from 2021 through 2025, the car has passed every time without a single fail or major defect recorded. The most recent test on 20 October 2025 continued this run, but it did flag a new advisory for play in the nearside front steering rack inner joint, which is a meaningful early signal of degradation in a steering component that is not a routine consumable. Earlier tests reinforce the picture: the 2023 pass attracted advisories for thinning front brake pads, a service brake system that was only just meeting requirement, and perishing rear tyres, while the 2022 pass noted minor cuts in both front tyres and defective wiper blades. The overall trend is one of stable pass outcomes, but with an accumulating advisory profile that suggests wear items are beginning to surface and warrant closer scrutiny rather than being ignored. With 52,042 miles recorded over roughly nine years, this Qashqai has covered an annual average of around 5,782 miles, which is low for the age of the vehicle. That usage pattern typically translates to lighter wear on major drivetrain components such as the engine, clutch and gearbox internals, but it also carries the well-known mechanical implications of a car that has spent extended periods stationary or used predominantly for short trips. Brakes, in particular, suffer under such conditions because corrosion on discs and pads can build up during periods of disuse, and the 2023 advisory noting brake performance only just met requirement fits that pattern. The annual mileage has stayed broadly consistent across each MOT entry with no sudden jumps or implausible gaps, so the recorded odometer readings do not raise tampering concerns, but a buyer should still weigh the fact that some service items may have aged more from calendar than from use. Given the steering rack inner joint play flagged on the 2025 test, this is the single most important component to inspect before purchase. On a test drive, listen for a clunk or knock from the front end when turning the wheel from lock to lock at low speed or when traversing speed humps, and feel for any vagueness, notching or slackness in the steering response. The Qashqai uses electric power steering, so a failing rack often presents as a gritty feel through the wheel or uneven assistance rather than heavy steering, and a warning light on the dashboard should not be dismissed. With the vehicle unoccupied and the front wheels raised, a mechanic can manually check for free play at the inner joint, and if significant movement is found, replacement is typically a costly rack assembly job rather than a simple linkage repair. The 2023 advisories also deserve follow-up. The front brake pads were flagged as wearing thin, particularly on the inner edge, and the brake performance was only just legal at that time, so the discs and pads should be physically inspected for remaining material thickness and for lipping or scoring on the disc surface. Expect possible binding or sticking calipers given the low-mileage, short-trip usage, which on a road test can manifest as a pulling sensation under braking or a brake that feels reluctant to release. The perishing rear tyres noted in 2023 will almost certainly have been replaced since, but the sidewalls and tread of all four tyres should still be checked for cracking, cuts and uneven wear, particularly on the inside shoulders which can indicate geometry misalignment. Finally, give particular attention to the condition of the wiper blades, which were flagged as defective in 2022, and inspect the front suspension bushes and drop links for any play, as these tend to deteriorate on Qashqais that have spent more time parked up than driven.