2016 Infiniti Q50 2.1L Diesel · P88 VHS

Significant wear in the front suspension linkages is the primary mechanical concern for this vehicle, as evidenced by the most recent MOT pass on 20 July 2026 which flagged advisory notices for both nearside and offside front lower suspension arm ball joints showing slight play. While the vehicle has maintained a consistent pass record since 2020, the transition from a clean 2025 result to these specific suspension advisories suggests a developing trend in component degradation. This follows a notable failure in July 2024, where the vehicle was deemed dangerous due to brake pads on both the front and rear axles being below the 1.5 mm threshold, indicating that wear on consumable components is a recurring factor in its testing history. The vehicle's usage profile reflects a high-mileage application, having covered 142,400 miles over approximately ten years. This equates to an average annual accumulation of roughly 14,240 miles, which is higher than the typical UK average for a vehicle of this age. Such consistent, high-volume mileage typically results in accelerated wear across all mechanical systems, particularly regarding suspension bushings, steering components, and braking systems. The cumulative distance means that structural and mechanical components have undergone significant duty cycles, making the recent suspension advisories a logical progression of the vehicle's high-use history. A prospective buyer should pay close attention to the steering and suspension feel during a test drive to assess the severity of the ball joint play. Listen for distinct knocking or clunking sounds when traversing uneven road surfaces or navigating speed bumps, and check for any wandering or imprecise steering response that might indicate the play in the lower suspension arms is progressing. Any sensation of the steering pulling to one side or a lack of stability during cornering would be a direct symptom of the issues flagged in the July 2026 inspection. Given the previous dangerous failure regarding brake pad thickness in 2024, the braking system requires thorough scrutiny. During the test drive, monitor for any pedal judder, vibration through the footwell under heavy braking, or a spongy pedal feel. While the 2024 failure was resolved to achieve a pass, the high mileage and the recent suspension advisories suggest that the vehicle's chassis and running gear are currently in a phase of active wear. Ensuring that the brake discs and pads have sufficient remaining life and that the suspension components are not nearing a point of imminent failure is essential.