2014 Nissan Qashqai 1.5L Diesel · NA14 VFZ

Suspension corrosion is the defining thread running through this Qashqai's history, flagged as an advisory at every recorded test from 2020 through to the most recent pass on 20 October 2025, and the record shows it has been accompanied by a gradual accumulation of wear items rather than a clean bill of health. The October 2024 test exposed the most serious episode: a dangerous failure for front brake pads under 1.5 mm thick, a major failure for a significantly worn front brake disc, and a fractured nearside rear coil spring, all rectified for a pass the following day. The 2025 test also began with a failure, this time for a malfunctioning tyre pressure monitoring system and an inoperative nearside stop lamp, before passing the same day. The trend is therefore one of recurring age-related deterioration being addressed at test time, with the latest pass carrying advisories for corroded suspension components, a minor windscreen defect, and partially functioning nearside rear lamps. At 111,728 miles over roughly twelve years, the car has averaged about 9,300 miles annually, a typical accumulation for its age with consistent year-on-year testing and no significant gaps in the record. This steady use pattern means wear has been distributed normally across consumables, and the failures observed, brakes, a coil spring, and ball joint dust covers, are consistent with a vehicle of this mileage rather than evidence of unusual abuse or prolonged standing. There is nothing in the usage profile to suggest hidden lay-up related deterioration. The brake history warrants particular scrutiny. The 2024 dangerous defect for pads worn below 1.5 mm, combined with a significantly worn front disc and advisories for rear pads wearing thin, indicates the braking system was allowed to reach an advanced state of wear before renewal. On a test drive, check for pedal judder under moderate braking, any pull to one side, and listen for grinding or squeal, and confirm whether discs and pads were replaced as matched sets. The fractured nearside rear coil spring from 2024 should also prompt inspection of the offside rear spring, as its counterpart will have endured identical service and corrosion exposure. The suspension and steering advisories deserve close attention given their persistence. The 2024 test flagged a severely deteriorated offside front suspension arm ball joint dust cover, deteriorated track rod end dust covers on both sides, and a severely deteriorated nearside front inner CV boot, while 2023 noted slight play in the nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint and a corroded suspension mounting area. Split dust covers admit grit and moisture, accelerating joint wear, so listen for knocking or clonking over bumps, clicking from the front drivetrain on full lock, and any vagueness or wandering in the steering. Given the six consecutive years of corrosion advisories, a ramp inspection of the suspension components, mounting points, and subframe is strongly recommended before purchase, along with verification that the TPMS fault and rear lamp defects from 2025 have been properly resolved rather than temporarily patched.