2014 Nissan Qashqai 1.2L Petrol · LV14 XRY

The defining mechanical story across seven MOT entries since 2020 is a pattern of tyre damage advisories clustered around the rear axle, combined with a persistent anti-roll bar linkage ball joint issue on the nearside front that has now been recorded at two consecutive tests. The most recent pass on 19 September 2025 carried four advisories and, more notably, was undertaken with the oil pressure warning light illuminated on the dashboard, with the tester recording this condition with the customer's agreement rather than failing the vehicle. A prior failure on 6 September 2021 was caused by a dangerously loose central front undertray, and an earlier failure on 16 September 2022 was down to ineffective front wiper operation. While the car has not been failed for mechanical wear items, the recurrence of specific component advisories year after year and the unresolved dashboard warning light raise legitimate concerns about the depth of attention given to developing faults between tests. Recorded mileage of 62,116 miles over a twelve-year life equates to roughly 5,176 miles annually, which is well below average for a family crossover of this age and indicates either a pattern of light, short-trip use or extended periods off the road. The MOT record shows consistent year-on-year testing with no unusual gaps, suggesting the vehicle has been in regular use despite the low annual accumulation, and there are no mileage anomalies such as sharp jumps or reversals that might indicate clocked figures. Mechanically, lower annual mileage of this nature can mean that components such as brake discs, callipers, tyres, suspension bushes and the undertray fixings suffer from standing corrosion and seized threads rather than wear from sustained use, which may explain the recurring tyre cuts from kerbing during infrequent trips and the undertray detachment noted in 2021. Given the specific advisories recorded, a prospective buyer should focus inspection effort on the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, which has shown slight play at both the 2024 and 2025 tests. On a test drive, listen for clonking or rattling noises from the front suspension over broken surfaces and speed humps, and feel for vagueness or a loose sensation through the steering wheel during direction changes. The ball joint should be physically checked for free movement by hand once the wheel is raised, and the corresponding bush examined for cracking or perishing. The rear brake pads were flagged as wearing thin at the 2021 test and warrant close attention now, so the rear caliper carriers and slide pins should be inspected for seizure, and the rear discs checked for lipping, corrosion pitting, or binding that may have developed during light use. The rear tyres should be examined inside and out for embedded objects, sidewall bulges, and accelerated inner or outer shoulder wear, which on a low-mileage vehicle often points to alignment issues, a worn rear anti-roll bar bush, or weak springs. The 2021 dangerous undertray failure and the 2025 oil pressure warning light are arguably the two most significant mechanical signals in the entire record. The undertray fixings and surrounding plastic shielding should be checked for security and missing clips, as a loose undertray can mask corroded subframe or steering rack components underneath. The illuminated oil pressure light during the 2025 test is a serious indicator that demands verification before purchase; the engine should be started from cold on a level surface and the gauge cluster watched for any flicker of the oil pressure light at idle, with the dipstick withdrawn to confirm oil level and condition, and the oil itself inspected for metallic sheen or a fuel smell. Unresolved brake, suspension, tyre, and engine lubrication concerns that have been either ignored or simply noted as advisories over consecutive tests suggest that further mechanical expenditure should be anticipated.