2008 Nissan Qashqai 1.6L Petrol · ML08 MYY

The most recent DVSA MOT test on this 2008 Nissan Qashqai took place on 24 June 2023 and resulted in a pass, though a simultaneous test on the same day was failed under a Dangerous category for front road wheels having more than one fixing missing both sides, which suggests a serious wheel stud or nut issue that clearly required immediate rectification before the car could be considered roadworthy. The maintenance trend over the recorded MOT history is not reassuring, as the vehicle has accumulated a considerable number of advisories and major defects, with the two most recent tests both flagging rear brake disc wear, suspension arm corrosion on both sides, and an exhaust gas leak, alongside a separate failure just a few months earlier for excessively worn anti-roll bar linkage ball joints on both sides. The recurrence of front suspension wear items, track rod end play, and brake-related advisories across multiple tests suggests an ongoing pattern of chassis and undercarriage deterioration rather than isolated incidents, which a buyer should interpret as a vehicle that will likely require further suspension and brake work in the near term. Recorded mileage stands at 116,407 miles across approximately 18 years of age, equating to around 6,467 miles per year on average, which is broadly typical for a car of this vintage and indicates consistent but not excessive use. The MOT records do not reveal any particularly long standing periods between annual tests, although the gap between the early 2020 tests and the February 2021 test is minimal and the progression to 2022 and 2023 entries is consistent with annual testing, suggesting the vehicle has remained in regular service rather than being laid up for extended periods. This level of annual mileage is generally favourable for keeping seals, brakes, and drivetrain components lubricated and functional, but the 116,000-mile total places the Qashqai firmly in the high wear category for original and replacement suspension, clutch (if manual), and ancillary components, particularly given the documented front-end and rear suspension issues already emerging in the MOT history. Given the recurrence of advisories relating to rear brake disc wear, rear suspension arm corrosion on both sides, and a minor exhaust gas leak from the most recent test, a prospective buyer should physically inspect the rear brake discs for lipping, scoring, or surface corrosion that may now have progressed beyond the not excessively worn threshold noted in 2023, and should check the rear suspension arms for any worsening corrosion, cracking, or distortion that could compromise structural integrity. The exhaust leak advisory warrants a cold-start inspection and a listen for ticking or hissing from the rear silencer or joint area, as exhaust leaks tend to worsen with thermal cycling and corrosion. With the 2023 advisories now being three years old at the time of this assessment, all of those items should be considered due for re-inspection or replacement, particularly the tyres flagged as worn close to the legal limit, as tyres of that vintage may also have suffered sidewall perishing or cracking from age even if tread depth remains acceptable. The earlier history of front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint wear, lower suspension arm pin and bush wear on both sides, and track rod end play on both sides points to a progressive deterioration of the front suspension and steering geometry that is characteristic of high-mileage Qashqais operating on British roads. On a test drive, a buyer should listen for clunks or knocks from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, pay close attention to steering wander, vagueness, or tramlining, and check for uneven front tyre wear which would confirm persistent geometry or component issues. Additionally, the recorded oil leak advisory, if unresolved, should be monitored by inspecting the underside for fresh oil residue and checking the level between services. Given the vehicle's age, it would also be prudent to verify the condition of age-related items not necessarily captured in the MOT, including the 12V battery, coolant strength and age, brake fluid hygroscopic degradation, timing chain or belt service history, and the operation of all electrical systems, as well as confirming a full service history with stamps corroborating the recorded mileage and the rectification of the dangerous wheel fixing defect and prior major suspension failures.