2019 Nissan Qashqai 1.5L Diesel · ML19 AXH

The defining mechanical story for this Qashqai is a braking system that has been progressively flagged at nearly every recent test, culminating in the October 2025 pass which noted front brake pads getting low and corroded front brake discs. The earlier history supports a pattern rather than a one-off: a rear brake disc was already noted as worn, pitted or scored in January 2022, and the only other advisory across the five recorded tests was an offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit in October 2023. The single failure in the record, recorded on the same January 2022 visit, was caused by an offside headlamp aim being too low rather than a braking or suspension issue, and it was clearly remedied before the later pass that day. With four of five tests carrying at least one advisory, the record cannot be described as clean, but the items raised are consistent with the gradual wear expected on a driven vehicle rather than a single point of structural concern. Annual accumulation works out at roughly 4,725 miles per year across the seven-year life of the car, which is low for a Qashqai of this vintage and points to either light overall use or extended periods of standing. The MOT dates themselves cluster tightly from late 2022 onwards with no multi-year gaps, suggesting the vehicle has been on the road consistently even if not driven far, which limits concerns about seized brakes, perished fuel, or deteriorated coolant that can follow long lay-ups. The low total mileage does, however, mean that corrosion rather than wear is more likely to be the limiting factor on chassis components, and brake discs that sit unused are particularly prone to the kind of surface corrosion already noted at the front. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority is a physical inspection of the braking system. The 2025 advisories on front pads and front discs should be treated as imminent items, so check pad material thickness through the wheel spokes and run a finger along the front disc friction surface to feel for a pronounced lip on the outer edge and for pitting beyond what the advisory describes. On the test drive, listen for any grinding or squeal under light braking, feel for vibration or pedal pulsation that would indicate disc runout, and check that the car pulls up straight without any pulling to one side. The rear discs should also be inspected, given the 2022 advisory, as scoring left untreated can lead to judder and accelerated pad wear. Beyond the brakes, a close look underneath the car is worthwhile given the low annual mileage and the age of the vehicle. Inspect the coil springs, suspension arms and anti-roll bar bushes for any surface rust or perishing, as rubber components deteriorate with age regardless of mileage. Check the headlamp alignment manually, as the 2022 failure on offside headlamp aim was a presentation issue and could recur if adjusters have moved. Finally, examine the offside front inner and outer tyre edges for uneven wear, which the 2023 advisory flagged, as this can indicate geometry misalignment, worn suspension bushes, or a deteriorated strut top mount that would warrant a four-wheel alignment check before any new tyres are fitted.