2016 Renault Kadjar 1.2L Petrol · NH08 DAD

The Kadjar presents a largely sound roadworthiness profile interrupted by a single, multi-defect failure in early 2023, with subsequent years returning clean pass certificates that demonstrate the flagged issues were rectified rather than left to recur. The 2023-03-03 test recorded two dangerous or major items, including an offside rear tyre with exposed plies and an offside front service brake exhibiting excessive fluctuation, alongside a malfunctioning tyre pressure monitoring system sensor. These were remediated, as the immediately following test on 2024-03-04 and every test since has passed without advisories. The only post-rectification note is the 2026-04-05 advisory recording both front tyres as approaching the legal tread limit with edge wear, which is a routine consumable observation for a vehicle of this age but warrants measurement of remaining tread depth and inspection for uneven shoulder wear that could indicate camber or suspension geometry drift. At 48,211 miles against a ten-year span, the Kadjar is accumulating roughly 4,800 miles annually, which is markedly below average for a family SUV and likely reflects either limited use as a second vehicle or extended stationary periods. Mechanically, such restrained mileage is a double-edged proposition: service items such as timing chains, dual-clutch gearboxes and turbochargines experience less cumulative stress, but prolonged standing can degrade rubber components, brake discs, suspension bushes, and underbody protection due to inactivity rather than wear. The absence of testing gaps in the DVSA record suggests the vehicle has not been formally declared off the road through a statutory SORN, though periods of disuse cannot be ruled out. Given the very low annual mileage, verify the service history stamps thoroughly to ensure that time-based items such as brake fluid, coolant, and cambelt replacement have been addressed regardless of the odometer reading. Inspection should prioritise the braking system given the historical fluctuation noted on the offside front caliper and disc wear advisory from 2023. On a test drive, listen for any binding, dragging, or uneven pulling under light braking, and verify the offside front caliper slides freely without resistance. Inspect the brake discs through the wheels for lipping, scoring, or blueing from overheating, as low-mileage vehicles left standing can develop surface corrosion that leads to judder once driven. Confirm the TPMS sensors on all four corners are registering correctly via the dashboard display, as the recorded failure noted a broken rear sensor internally. Given the front tyre edge wear advisory, check the suspension geometry by pushing down hard on each front corner and listening for knocks from the top mounts, wishbones, and anti-roll bar drop links, all known wear points on the Kadjar. Finally, examine the underbody and wheel arches carefully for corrosion. While no advisories have been raised, the Kadjar platform can suffer subframe and rear axle corrosion, particularly around the spring seats and suspension mounting points, which only a physical inspection on a ramp will reveal. Verify the condition of the coil springs for any cracking or corrosion pitting, and inspect the rear brake drums or discs for surface rust consistent with prolonged inactivity. A thorough road test should include driving over uneven surfaces to expose any knocking from the front strut top mounts, track rod ends, or drop link bushes. Confirm that all warning lamps extinguish promptly on startup and that the infotainment and climate control systems function correctly, as electrical gremlins are not uncommon on Kadjars of this vintage.