2018 Nissan Qashqai 1.5L Diesel · MR09 RAC

The 2018 Nissan Qashqai holds a valid MOT pass from 22 August 2025 at 82,488 miles, but the maintenance trend is worsening. The most recent test exposed a fractured nearside front coil spring and front tyre tread worn below the 1.6mm legal limit, forcing a failure that required repair before the vehicle passed the same day with remaining advisories on rear tyre cracking, a defective registration plate lamp, and engine covers obstructing inspection. After two consecutive clean tests in 2023 and 2024, the sudden appearance of a suspension structural failure indicates that underlying wear or damage progressed unchecked during the prior low-mileage period. The mileage progression reveals a period of light use followed by sharp accumulation. Between December 2022 and August 2023 the odometer advanced only 4,045 miles in eight months, suggesting the vehicle sat idle or saw minimal use. From August 2023 to August 2024 the reading jumped by 19,951 miles, a rate of roughly 16,600 miles per year, before settling to 14,552 miles in the subsequent twelve months. This pattern of a low-mileage hiatus followed by rapid accumulation aligns with the timing of the coil spring fracture, as suspension components can degrade during periods of stationary storage or light use where corrosion and fatigue develop without the protective effect of regular movement and loading cycles. A buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of the front suspension assembly, specifically the nearside front coil spring that fractured in the August 2025 test, and verify that the replacement spring is correct and properly fitted. The rear tyres require close scrutiny for perishing and cracking noted in both the passed and failed tests from the same date, as sidewall damage compromises structural integrity regardless of tread depth. Brake pad condition should be checked given the thin wear flagged in December 2022, and the engine covers and under-trays must be removed to allow a full inspection of the underside for corrosion, exhaust emissions components, and any hidden leaks, as the tester has repeatedly been unable to complete a full visual examination.