2014 Nissan Qashqai 1.2L Petrol · PY14 LBZ

The most recent MOT, conducted on 19 November 2025 at 78,643 miles, resulted in a pass, but the record reveals a notable shift in the maintenance trend. After two consecutive clean passes in August 2024 and September 2025, the November 2025 test flagged three new advisories, indicating a worsening condition. The tester noted a worn and pitted nearside front brake disc, slight play in the nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint, and worn inner suspension arm pins or bushes on both sides. These are not critical failures, yet their simultaneous appearance after a period of zero defects suggests the vehicle has entered a phase of accelerated component fatigue that demands closer scrutiny. The mileage accumulation is broadly consistent with typical use for a 2014 vehicle. Between the August 2023 test at 68,720 miles and the August 2024 test at 72,393 miles, the vehicle covered 3,673 miles in twelve months. That figure then jumped to 5,018 miles between August 2024 and September 2025, before rising a further 692 miles by the November 2025 test. The annualised rate sits at roughly 6,500 miles per year, which is unremarkable for this age group. No suspicious gaps or sudden drops appear in the record, though the 2023 test did note that lower engine covers were fitted, obscuring the underside from full inspection, a point worth revisiting. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and braking components. The slight play in the nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint and the worn inner suspension arm bushes flagged in November 2025 are wear items that degrade gradually but can cause vague steering and uneven tyre wear if left unaddressed. Check for play by applying leverage to the front wheels at the twelve o'clock and six o'clock positions, and inspect the rubber bushings for cracking or separation. The pitted nearside front brake disc is a concern because pitting reduces the effective friction surface and can accelerate pad wear. Measure disc thickness against the manufacturer's minimum specification and inspect the pad material for uneven deposits. The rear braking system also warrants attention. In the November 2025 test, both rear brake discs were worn and pitted, and the rear pads were recorded as wearing thin at the limit. This suggests the rear braking assembly has been working harder than expected, possibly due to a partially binding caliper or a driver who relies more heavily than average on the rear brakes. A road test should confirm that the vehicle pulls straight under braking and that the handbrake holds on a steep incline. Given the age and the recent cluster of advisories, a thorough underside inspection, ideally on a ramp, is advisable to assess structural integrity, corrosion around suspension mounting points, and the condition of the engine covers noted as obscuring inspection in 2023.