2008 Nissan Qashqai 1.5L Diesel · N6 COO

A clear pattern of front suspension and steering wear emerges across the MOT history of this 2008 Nissan Qashqai, with the most recent test on 19 February 2026 recording a pass but only after a failed attempt the previous day flagged four major defects. The earlier 2026 failure captured a worn nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, excessive play in the offside track rod end, an excessively binding offside front service brake, and a split nearside front inner drive shaft CV boot allowing dirt ingress. This follows a 2025 advisory for slight play in the offside front track rod end, and a 2023 advisory for play in the offside front lower suspension arm ball joint, alongside wear in both front lower arm rear bushes. The steering and front suspension geometry therefore appears to have been deteriorating progressively, with the 2026 failure representing a notable escalation rather than an isolated event. Separately, the rear suspension has attracted serious corrosion attention, with both rear lower suspension arms recorded as seriously weakened by corrosion at the 2024 test, and the rear subframe noted as corroded but not seriously weakened on both 2026 entries. The recorded mileage of 79,688 against an 18-year vehicle age equates to roughly 4,400 miles per year, which is notably low for a car of this vintage and typical Qashqai usage patterns. The MOT record itself is uneven, with tests recorded in 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 (twice within two days), 2025, and 2026 (twice within two days), suggesting intervals that have settled into an annual pattern after earlier gaps. Two of the recent years show back-to-back tests within a day or two of each other, consistent with initial failures being followed by successful retests after repairs. Low annual mileage of this nature can mean reduced wear on high-mileage items such as the engine internals, clutch, and transmission, but it also tends to coincide with longer standing periods during which brake calipers seize, CV boot rubber perishes, suspension bushes dry out, and underbody corrosion progresses, all of which are consistent with the defects flagged on this vehicle. For a prospective buyer, the priority mechanical items to inspect on a physical viewing and test drive are the front suspension and steering components flagged repeatedly between 2023 and 2026. Listen for clonks or knocking from the front over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, which would suggest the anti-roll bar linkage, track rod ends, or lower arm ball joints have worn further since the 2026 test. With the steering, check for wandering, imprecise turn-in, or any clunk when the wheel is turned against full lock with the engine running, as track rod end play was specifically recorded as a major defect. On the test drive, apply the brakes firmly from speed and listen for any grinding or dragging, and check whether the vehicle pulls to one side, given the offside front caliper was found to be excessively binding at the most recent failure; a binding caliper often reoccurs as the piston or slider pins seize again, particularly on a low-use vehicle. The rear underbody demands equally close attention given the corrosion history. Jack the vehicle or use a ramp if possible and inspect both rear lower suspension arms for perforating rust around the mounting points, as these were recorded as seriously weakened in 2024 and similar corrosion patterns can advance within two to three years on a Qashqai of this age. The rear shock absorbers were also flagged as corroded in 2024, so check for dampness or staining on the shock bodies and listen for rear suspension knocks over rough roads. The rear subframe corrosion noted at both 2026 entries should be monitored annually, as progression from not seriously weakened to seriously weakened is a defined MOT failure threshold and the repair cost can be substantial. Finally, inspect both front inner CV boots for splits or grease leakage, particularly on the nearside, and verify that any recent work has been documented with invoices, as the combination of a binding brake, worn steering linkage, and split CV boot repaired in quick succession warrants confirmation that all rectification was carried out to a satisfactory standard.