2017 Nissan Qashqai 1.5L Diesel · OW66 JWF

A pattern of recurring front suspension deterioration is the defining mechanical thread running through this Qashqai's MOT history, with the most recent clean test on 12 June 2026 capping a record that shows otherwise stable roadworthiness. The car has passed every recorded test over the past nine years without any failures, but the advisory and minor defect trail points consistently at the front end geometry and its consumable rubber protection. In January 2025 the tester recorded severely deteriorated ball joint dust covers on both near and offside front suspension arms, alongside a damaged but still effective dust cover on the nearside front steering linkage ball joint. These were not isolated observations either, as a January 2024 advisory flagged slight play in the nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint. The two most recent tests, in June 2025 and June 2026, returned no advisories, which suggests the dust covers were addressed, but the underlying wear pattern is one a buyer cannot ignore. Recorded mileage of 105,269 miles over roughly nine years equates to an average of about 11,700 miles annually, which sits within the normal band for a family SUV of this age and avoids the extremes of either very low or exceptionally high use. There are no notable gaps between tests, with annual MOT entries from January 2020 through to mid-2026, indicating the vehicle has remained in regular service rather than being laid up. The steady accumulation supports the likelihood of even wear across the major mechanical systems, but it also means consumables such as brake pads, discs and tyres will have been worked through multiple replacement cycles. The 2022 entry noted both rear brake pads wearing thin, which is consistent with a vehicle that has covered substantial mileage since new and will likely be approaching another pad replacement on the rear axle at this point. Given the documented advisories on the front suspension, a prospective buyer should treat the front subframe and related components as priority inspection items. The ball joint dust covers flagged in January 2025 are designed to keep grease in and dirt out, and once they split, joint wear accelerates rapidly, so it is worth lifting the front wheels and visually checking the boots on the suspension arm, steering linkage and anti-roll bar drop links for fresh splits or grease contamination. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front end over speed humps, rough surfaces and when turning the steering from lock to lock, as this often indicates worn ball joints or droplink play consistent with the 2024 advisory. A slow-speed figure-of-eight test in a car park can help reveal any knocking or vague steering feel that might not otherwise present itself. The rear brake pad advisories from January 2022 should prompt a check of pad and disc condition now, given that four years and a substantial mileage accumulation have passed since that observation. With the car stationary, examine the rear calipers for any signs of seizing, uneven pad wear or corrosion on the disc faces, and on the road expect to feel any judder through the brake pedal under firm stopping if the discs have become lipped or warped. The recurring rear registration plate deterioration advisories from 2022, 2023 and 2025 are cosmetic rather than mechanical, but they hint that the plastic has been weathering for some time and may now require replacement. Finally, listen for any exhaust rattles on start-up and under load, and check the underbody for corrosion particularly around the rear suspension mounting points, as Qashqais of this generation are known to develop surface rust in these areas once mileage exceeds six figures.