2007 Nissan Qashqai 2.0L Petrol · OU57 WCW

The defining mechanical story of this 2007 Nissan Qashqai is one of broadly consistent roadworthiness, albeit with a notable and unexplained oddity in its most recent MOT cycle. The vehicle successfully cleared its 2023 and 2024 tests on the first attempt, and then on 17 June 2025 it was recorded as both failing and passing on the very same day. Because no defects were recorded against either entry, the precise reason for the failure cannot be determined from the official record, but the fact that the car subsequently passed without any advisories suggests the issue was either a minor administrative or rectification matter resolved immediately within the testing station rather than a fundamental mechanical fault. Across all recorded tests there are no advisories, no component wear flags, and no recurring defect patterns, indicating the vehicle has maintained a stable MOT track record throughout the period covered by the data. Against the backdrop of its 19-year service life, the recorded mileage of 146,432 miles translates to an average annual accumulation of roughly 7,700 miles, which is broadly typical for a car of this age. There are no extended gaps between tests that would suggest the vehicle has been laid up for prolonged periods, and the annual rate has remained consistent enough to indicate regular, steady use rather than intermittent commuting. For a Qashqai of this vintage, that pattern of consistent usage is mechanically reassuring because the known weak points of the model, including the rear drum brake mechanisms, the clutch slave cylinder, and the dual mass flywheel on the diesel variants, tend to suffer more acutely from low use and standing than from regular driving. The mileage itself is not unusually high, but it is sufficient to expect normal age-related wear on suspension bushes, coil springs, anti-roll bar links, and the front brake discs and pads, all of which are consumable items on a vehicle approaching the end of its second decade of service. For a prospective buyer, the practical starting point is a careful inspection of the areas most likely to have degraded given the age and mileage, even though none have yet been flagged on the MOT record. Pay particular attention to the front suspension, listening for knocking or clonking noises from the lower wishbones, anti-roll bar drop links, and top mounts over speed humps and uneven surfaces, as these are known wear points on the first-generation Qashqai. On the test route, check for any steering vagueness or pull to one side under braking, which would suggest worn front brake discs or a binding caliper, and feel for any vibration through the pedal or steering wheel that could indicate disc warping. Examine the rear drums visually for signs of brake dust leakage, corroded adjusters, or a seized handbrake mechanism, as drum brake issues often surface only at MOT time on this model. Equally important given the car's age is a thorough under-bonnet and under-floor check for fluid leaks and corrosion that would not necessarily have been captured in the clean advisory history. With 19 years of service, expect some surface corrosion on the rear subframe mounting points, suspension arms, and around the wheel arches, and weigh any heavy structural rust accordingly as it would represent an MOT failure point. Check for signs of weeping from the cam cover, sump gasket, and power steering pipes, all common leak sources on higher-mileage Qashqais, and verify that the cooling system shows no signs of crusting around the header tank or rad hoses that would suggest a long-standing coolant leak. Finally, confirm the clutch operation directly, looking for any judder on take-off, a high biting point, or signs of slave cylinder failure, as the 1.5 and 1.6 dCi units in particular are known to suffer clutch hydraulic issues that will only become apparent on a proper road test rather than a stationary MOT bay check.