2014 Nissan Qashqai 1.6L Diesel · P70 CBN

This Qashqai presents a notably clean MOT record across all five documented tests between September 2023 and March 2026, with no advisories, no component defects, and only one minor administrative anomaly to investigate. That single failure on 8 April 2024 recorded no defects at all, which suggests a non-mechanical reason for the refusal rather than any underlying roadworthiness concern, as the vehicle was submitted and passed cleanly the very next day on 9 April 2024. That kind of back-to-back pass typically points to something straightforward like a lamp bulb failure or a registration plate issue at the first attempt. Across the remaining four passes, including the most recent test on 23 March 2026, the car has consistently met the minimum legal standard with zero recorded advisories, which on a twelve-year-old Nissan is genuinely unusual and points to either very attentive maintenance or a vehicle that has not been subjected to particularly harsh conditions. The overall trend is unambiguously stable and improving, with no progressive wear patterns emerging in the test record. Recorded mileage of 127,927 miles against a 2014 registration equates to roughly 10,661 miles annually, which sits broadly in line with the average for a car of this age and type. However, the spacing of MOT tests tells a slightly different story, with three tests crammed into 2024 alone before settling back to a single annual test for 2025 and 2026. This pattern suggests the vehicle may have been used more intensively during the 2023 to 2024 period, possibly as a daily commuter or higher-mileage runabout, before usage moderated. That earlier intensive use would have accelerated wear on consumables such as brake pads, discs, tyres, and suspension components, even though none of that wear had reached MOT failure or advisory thresholds by the March 2026 test. For a buyer, this means the mechanical foundations appear sound but the components that absorb mileage most aggressively may now be closer to replacement than the MOT record alone suggests. Given that the official record contains no advisories pointing to specific component wear, the inspection focus should logically fall on the areas that accumulate degradation silently between tests, particularly the suspension and braking systems that work hardest under higher-mileage use. On a test drive, pay particular attention to the front suspension, listening for knocking or clonking noises over speed humps and rough surfaces, which would indicate worn anti-roll bar drop links, control arm bushes, or top mount bearings, all common Qashqai wear items at this mileage. Over uneven road surfaces, any vagueness in steering response or a reluctance to self-centre could point to worn track rod ends or front strut wear. Through corners, if the car feels unsettled or wallowy, the rear coil springs and shock absorbers should be inspected for sagging or leakage, as these are frequent renewal items on second-generation Qashqais approaching 130,000 miles. The braking components deserve equally close scrutiny given the mileage, even though the MOT record raised no concerns. During the test drive, feel for any judder through the brake pedal under firm application, which typically indicates warped front brake discs, a common issue on higher-mileage Qashqais where pads have been allowed to wear the disc surface unevenly. Listen for any grinding or scraping sounds, and check that the car does not pull noticeably to one side under braking, which would suggest a binding caliper or uneven pad wear. The handbrake should hold the vehicle firmly on a moderate incline without needing excessive lever travel, as rear caliper mechanisms can seize on cars that have seen heavy use. Finally, a thorough underbody inspection or at minimum a ramp check is strongly recommended, as corrosion on the rear axle, subframe mounting points, and brake pipes tends to develop silently on Qashqais of this age and would not necessarily have shown up on the rolling-road MOT assessment, particularly given that the recent advisories list is completely empty.