2016 Infiniti Q30 2.1L Diesel · RO16 LPK

A recurring theme of emissions-related and suspension wear defects defines the mechanical record of this Q30, with the most recent test on 8 June 2026 illustrating the pattern clearly. On that date the vehicle simultaneously passed with no defects recorded and failed on two Major items: an inoperative or malfunction-indicating engine management warning lamp (MIL), and an excessively worn offside front suspension arm ball joint. The MIL issue is not isolated, as the identical defect was flagged as a Major failure on 18 May 2023, alongside a non-functioning offside side repeater lamp. Between those two failures the vehicle passed three consecutive MOT tests in 2022, 2024, and 2025 without any advisories, suggesting the warning lamp may be an intermittent fault rather than evidence of permanent resolution. The suspension ball joint wear, however, is a new failure point not previously recorded in the history and warrants close physical inspection of the front suspension geometry. With 115,767 miles accumulated across approximately a decade of use, this Q30 averages around 11,577 miles per year, which is broadly typical for its age and indicates regular rather than occasional use. The testing history shows consistent annual attendance from 2021 onwards, with no significant gaps that would suggest long periods off the road. Notably, two tests were recorded on the same day in both 2023 and 2026, which typically reflects a failure followed by a same-day retest after rectification. Steady mileage accumulation of this scale places meaningful wear on consumable and mechanical components, including brake friction material, suspension bushes and joints, engine mounts, and drivetrain flex items, so any buyer should weigh the cumulative impact of this mileage against the relatively modest annual rate. A prospective buyer should focus first on the items that have already triggered Major defects. The recurring MIL illumination needs to be investigated with a diagnostic scan capable of retrieving stored fault codes from the engine management system, particularly any relating to the lambda sensors, catalytic converter efficiency, evap system, or misfire detection, as these are common causes on petrol-engined vehicles. The 2026 offside front suspension arm ball joint failure is a direct safety-critical item, and any replacement should be checked for proper torque and that the accompanying bushes and track rod ends on that side were not also compromised by age. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed bumps and uneven surfaces, particularly from the offside, and feel for imprecise steering, vague self-centring, or wandering at motorway speeds, which could indicate further wear in the wishbones, drop links, or steering rack. Also pay attention to any reappearance of the engine warning lamp during warm-up or under load, as intermittent MILs are notoriously difficult to pinpoint without live data. The single advisory recorded across the entire history, noting under vehicle covers fitted in April 2021, means that previous structural and underbody condition has not been fully visible to the tester, so a physical inspection on a ramp is strongly recommended. Corrosion on subframes, brake lines, fuel lines, and suspension components is a known concern for vehicles of this vintage and mileage, and the under-trays will need to be removed for proper assessment. Inspect the offside front suspension area thoroughly for any signs of previous accident damage or poor-quality repair work around the ball joint replacement, and check that the corresponding nearside components show similar or better wear, as uneven deterioration often points to kerbing damage or a collapsed spring. Finally, examine the brake discs and pads for lipping, scoring, and remaining material, as 115,000 miles of use will typically have consumed at least one set of discs and multiple pad sets, and confirm that the electronic parking brake releases and applies cleanly without warning lamps remaining illuminated on the dashboard.