2009 Nissan Qashqai 1.5L Diesel · MA59 DVT

A pattern of front-end steering and suspension wear is the defining mechanical story of this 2009 Nissan Qashqai. The most recent test on 23 January 2026 recorded a pass with an advisory for slight movement at the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, which is a soft warning but worth noting because the same area of the car produced a Major failure for excessive play at the nearside front track rod end ball joint only a year earlier, in January 2025. The vehicle was retested and passed on the same day after that repair, suggesting the track rod end was replaced and the car has held roadworthiness since, but the recurring advisories across the 2024 and 2026 tests indicate that the front suspension and steering components on this Qashqai are now entering the age-related wear phase typical of a 17-year-old vehicle. Underlying that, the 2024 test pass and its preceding failure both flagged the nearside front tyre being close to the legal limit and worn on the edge, alongside pitted and scored brake discs on both rear corners and the offside front, all of which collectively point to consistent wear on consumable running gear rather than any single catastrophic defect. The recorded mileage of 97,007 miles against a 17-year age profile equates to roughly 5,700 miles per year, which is comfortably below the national average and is consistent with a vehicle used primarily for short urban journeys, light commuting, or as a second household car. There are no extended gaps in the MOT testing record that would suggest the car was off the road for multiple consecutive years, and the relatively even spread of annual tests combined with the steady accumulation of mileage indicates the Qashqai has remained in regular service rather than having been laid up. Mechanically, this lower-than-average mileage is generally favourable for the engine, gearbox, and drivetrain, as it limits wear on internal components, but it does mean that items susceptible to age-related degradation rather than distance-related wear, such as rubber bushes, ball joints, brake discs, suspension springs, corrosion protection, and rubber boots, will have been exposed to 17 winters of road salt and standing periods. The balance between low mileage and high calendar age is exactly why the advisories are clustered around rubber-bushed steering and suspension items and the surface corrosion of brake discs rather than around engine or transmission faults. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection areas are clearly defined by the MOT history. On a test drive, listen carefully for any clonking or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, particularly from the nearside, as anti-roll bar linkage ball joints and track rod ends that have been replaced can deteriorate again quickly if the corresponding bushes or droplinks are worn. Check for uneven tyre wear across the front axle, especially inner-edge wear on the nearside front, which could indicate that the geometry has drifted since the last tracking adjustment or that the replaced track rod end was not correctly aligned. Feel through the brake pedal for any vibration or judder under firm application, which would confirm whether the pitted and scored front and rear brake discs previously flagged have worn past their service limit and now require replacement. Inspect the underside, subframe, and suspension arms for any bubbling or lifting paintwork suggesting corrosion, and examine the brake pipes and flexible hoses for surface rust or cracking, as these are common MOT failure points on Qashqais of this generation. Additionally, given that the rear brake discs on both sides were noted as pitted and scored in 2024, a second test should confirm whether they have been skimmed or replaced in the intervening period, as corrosion build-up on the disc edges can cause brake binding, leading to hot rear hubs after driving and a feeling of the car pulling to one side. Examine the tyres closely for age-related sidewall cracking, particularly on the rear pair, as one was flagged with slight damage and perishing in 2024, and budget for a full set if they are now several years old regardless of tread depth. Finally, verify that the steering remains precise with no slackness at the straight-ahead position and that the tracking is true, as the combination of a replaced track rod end and a worn anti-roll bar linkage ball joint within a 12-month window is a pattern worth treating as an early indicator that the wider front suspension refresh, including bushes and possibly the springs, may be approaching.