2018 Nissan Qashqai 1.2L Petrol · SD18 AAO

A pattern of front suspension wear is the defining mechanical story of this 2018 Nissan Qashqai, with the most recent test on 24 October 2025 recording advisories on both the nearside and offside front suspension arm pins or bushes, and the previous April 2025 test flagging the nearside front lower arm bush alongside a Major defect on the nearside front upper anti-roll bar linkage ball joint that caused a failure on the same date before the car was presented again later in the day and passed. This is not an isolated concern but a recurring theme, with the anti-roll bar linkage failure being the only Major defect recorded in the available history and the front suspension advisories appearing across three of the last four tests. The rear brake discs and pads were also noted as wearing in April 2024, but the intervening April 2023 test was clean with no advisories, suggesting a measurable deterioration in front-end mechanical condition over the last two years that warrants close attention before purchase. Against an age of roughly eight years, the recorded mileage of 52,924 miles equates to an average annual accumulation of around 6,600 miles, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this vintage and avoids the extremes of either very low mileage with prolonged standing periods or very high mileage with heavy component wear. The MOT record shows annual testing from April 2023 through October 2025 with no significant gaps, implying the car has been in continuous use rather than laid up, which is generally favourable for maintaining seal and bush integrity. The mileage progression between tests is consistent with steady private or commuter use, so the wear patterns observed cannot be attributed to excessive mileage accumulation but rather to the natural degradation of suspension components on a chassis approaching mid-life. For any prospective buyer, the priority inspection area is the front suspension assembly. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front end over speed bumps, broken tarmac, and during direction changes, as worn anti-roll bar linkages and suspension arm bushes commonly produce audible impacts and imprecise steering response. With the engine stationary, rock each front wheel at the three and nine o'clock positions to detect play in the suspension arms and ball joints, and observe whether the anti-roll bar itself moves independently of the strut, which would indicate failed link bushes. Pay particular attention to any vagueness through the steering or a tendency for the car to settle unevenly when parked, both of which point to progressive deterioration of the components already flagged by the tester. A competent independent garage should jack the front end and check the upper anti-roll bar drop links, lower arm front bushes, and track rod ends methodically, budgeting for replacement of the anti-roll bar linkage at a minimum given its recent Major defect history. The braking system also merits targeted inspection following the April 2024 advisories on both rear discs being pitted or scored and rear pads wearing down to approximately 3mm. On the road, check for any judder through the brake pedal, particularly under firm stopping from higher speeds, which would confirm the rear disc corrosion has progressed beyond a surface issue. Listen for grinding or squealing from the rear wheels during light braking, indicative of pads nearing the backing plate. Inspect the rear discs visually for a sharp lip on the outer edge and any visible scoring or rust pitting, as discs scored beyond the legal 0.5mm threshold on both faces would warrant replacement rather than skimming. Finally, verify the rear handbrake holds the vehicle on a slope, as the rear caliper mechanisms on Qashqais of this era can seize if neglected, compounding any disc wear.