2016 Nissan Qashqai 1.2L Petrol · RO16 ESF

The defining mechanical story of this Qashqai is a repeated pattern of rubber and braking component wear flagged across multiple tests, set against an otherwise clean pass record. Over four consecutive MOT examinations from 2021 to 2024, advisories were raised for cracking and perishing of the rear tyres on both the nearside and offside, with the 2023 test escalating one sidewall to urgent condition. The front brake pads were also recorded as wearing thin in mid-2024 on both sides. The most recent test on 20 July 2026 returned a clean pass with no defects recorded, and the 2025 examination was similarly unblemished, suggesting the tyre cracking issue may have been resolved through replacement. There are no recorded failures, dangerous defects, or structural advisories anywhere in the history, and no exhaust, suspension, or corrosion items have been flagged at any point. The undertray advisory from 2021 is a routine observation about obscured underside inspection and not a defect in itself. Against a ten-year age, the recorded 63,286 miles equates to roughly 6,300 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a Qashqai of this vintage and indicates steady rather than intensive use. There are no significant gaps in the testing record, with annual examinations stretching back to 2019, all of which provide consistent mileage progression points. This kind of moderate accumulation tends to be kinder to mechanical components than high-mileage use, particularly for the clutch, turbocharger, and drivetrain, while still ensuring consumables such as brake discs, pads, and tyres receive regular working cycles rather than suffering from prolonged standing. The mileage consistency also makes the absence of any mileage discrepancy flag across multiple tests a reassuring data signal. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection areas should reflect the specific components previously flagged. The rear tyres have shown a chronic sidewall cracking tendency over four consecutive years, so a close visual inspection of any current rear tyres for perishing, particularly on the sidewalls, is essential, and budget for an immediate replacement set if they are original or more than four or five years old. The front brake pads were noted as thin in mid-2024, so check the remaining pad material thickness directly through the wheel and listen for any metallic squeal or grinding on the test drive that would indicate the pads have worn to backing-plate level. Inspect the front brake discs for lipping, hot spots, or scoring, as discs fitted at the same time as the pads may now also be approaching their wear limit. Beyond the flagged items, the test drive should focus on the suspension and steering, as no advisories have been raised here yet but these components carry the cumulative effect of age and mileage. Listen for clonking or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which would suggest worn anti-roll bar drop links, control arm bushes, or top mount bearings common to this platform. Check for pulling under braking or any vibration through the steering wheel, which can indicate warped front discs or binding caliper slides. Finally, verify that the rear wiper, tailgate struts, and any infotainment or climate control functions operate correctly, as Qashqais of this generation are known for age-related electrical niggles that would not appear on an MOT but warrant a physical check before purchase.