2016 Nissan Qashqai 1.5L Diesel · PL65 AZF

The most recent DVSA examination on 16 January 2026 resulted in a Pass, although an advisory was issued for an offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge. Reviewing the broader history, the vehicle has demonstrated a mixed but broadly stable maintenance trend over the past five years, interspersed with two failed attempts in late 2021 and early 2025. The 2021 failure centred on headlamp alignment and windscreen washer function, both easily rectified items, whereas the January 2025 failure was more significant in mechanical terms, with a dangerously worn front brake pad, a major defect on the nearside front outer steering linkage ball joint, and a major advisory for insufficient washer fluid. The recurring advisories across 2023, 2024, and the 2025 failed test for front brake disc condition suggest a persistent issue with the front braking system that has progressed from cosmetic pitting and corrosion to a state where component replacement became necessary. With 118,554 miles recorded over approximately ten years, the vehicle has covered around 11,855 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a family SUV of this age and segment. The mileage progression across MOT records does not reveal any substantial gaps indicative of extended inactivity, nor does it show unusually rapid accumulation that would suggest motorway fleet use. This steady annual usage generally implies regular warm-up of mechanical components, consistent brake and tyre wear cycles, and a likelihood that service intervals have been observed. The annual mileage is sufficient to keep consumables cycling but is not at the elevated levels often associated with premature clutch, turbocharger, or drivetrain fatigue. The most pressing area for a prospective buyer to investigate further is the front braking and steering geometry. Given that brake disc pitting and scoring has been flagged at every MOT since 2021, and that the 2025 test recorded dangerously thin brake pads alongside a worn ball joint, it is reasonable to assume that corrective work was carried out shortly after that failure. However, buyers should verify documentary evidence such as invoices for replacement front discs, pads, and the steering linkage component, and confirm whether the replacement parts were of OE quality. On a test drive, listen carefully for any residual clunking or knocking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, which could indicate that the ball joint replacement was insufficient to address worn suspension bushes or drop links. Brake feel should be firm and progressive without any shuddering through the steering wheel under medium to heavy deceleration, which would suggest either warped new discs or incomplete rectification. The offside front tyre advisory from the January 2026 test should also prompt inspection of the nearside front tyre, as uneven edge wear typically points to misalignment, worn suspension bushes, or tracking issues that may not have been addressed. Beyond the recurring defects, general age-related checks are advisable for a ten-year-old Qashqai approaching 120,000 miles. Even with average annual mileage, the vehicle is due for time-based maintenance items that do not always appear on MOT records. The 12V battery is likely approaching the end of its service life and should be load-tested, particularly as cold-weather starting issues can mask themselves as intermittent faults. Brake fluid should be checked for moisture content, as it typically requires replacement every two to three years regardless of mileage, and the condition of the coolant and its concentration should be verified to prevent corrosion within the cooling system. Inspect the exhaust system for corrosion at the mounting points and joints, as a ten-year-old exhaust on a high-mileage vehicle is often approaching the end of its service life. The timing chain on the 1.2 DIG-T and 1.3 DIG-T petrol engines fitted to later Qashqais is known to stretch with age, so listen for any rattle on cold start that lasts more than a second or two, and verify whether the chain has been replaced. Finally, examine the underside of the vehicle for corrosion, paying particular attention to the rear axle mounting points, suspension subframes, and brake lines, as these are areas where road salt accumulation can compromise structural integrity over a decade of British winter use.