2017 Nissan Qashqai 1.2L Petrol · SK53 ANE

A clear and recurring pattern has emerged across the MOT record for this 2017 Nissan Qashqai: while the vehicle has passed every annual test, it carries an ongoing history of brake and tyre advisories that point to consumable wear gradually accumulating as the car ages. The most recent test on 24 February 2026 returned a clean pass with no advisories, but a separate failure was recorded on the same date for the nearside front headlamp aim being too low and too far to the right. Although this was repaired to enable a pass, it is a notable item because misaligned headlights compromise forward visibility and can mask oncoming hazards, particularly on unlit roads. Prior to this, the 2025 test flagged thinning rear brake pads on both sides alongside a pitted and scored nearside rear brake disc, and the 2024 test recorded front tyres at the legal limit on both sides along with further rear brake disc wear. The 2023 test similarly noted front tyre edge wear on both sides, and the 2022 test recorded child seats preventing full belt inspection. Read together, the record suggests a vehicle whose consumables are being used steadily rather than a car with structural or systemic mechanical faults, though the brake-related advisories have been building year on year. The recorded mileage of 35,501 miles across nine years equates to roughly 3,945 miles annually, which is substantially below the typical mileage of a car of this age. The MOT testing history runs consecutively from 2020 through 2026 with no gaps, which indicates the vehicle has remained in regular use throughout this period despite the low annual figure. Such modest usage tends to reduce wear on high-mileage components such as the clutch, drivetrain and engine internals, but it can place greater stress on items that degrade through age rather than use. Brake discs are prone to corrosion and surface pitting when a car is driven only short distances, tyres can develop sidewall cracking or uneven pressure-related wear, and rubber components such as suspension bushes, anti-roll bar links and CV joint boots can harden or perish from standing. The pitted rear brake discs already recorded by the tester align with this pattern of age-related surface degradation rather than heavy braking use. Given the established pattern of brake-related advisories, a prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the braking system during a physical inspection and test drive. The rear brake discs were noted as pitted in 2024 and the nearside rear disc specifically in 2025, so both rear discs should be examined for lipped edges, visible corrosion scoring, and any rough or uneven feel when lightly applied at low speed. The rear brake pads were also flagged as wearing thin, so the calipers and pads should be inspected for remaining material, and the handbrake tested on an incline to confirm the rear caliper mechanisms are not binding. On the road, listen for any grinding or scraping from the back of the car under light braking, feel for any vibration through the pedal, and note whether the vehicle pulls to one side under deceleration. The recurring front tyre edge wear advisories from 2023 and 2024 also warrant attention; the front wheels should be checked for uneven shoulder wear, the tracking should be confirmed within manufacturer tolerance, and the suspension inspected for worn wishbone bushes, droplinks, and any knocking from the front end over uneven surfaces. The headlamp aim failure recorded on the same day as the 2026 pass is a straightforward fix but should be verified before purchase. Confirm that both headlamps are correctly aligned using a beam setter or by checking the cut-off line on a flat wall at the correct height, with the nearside beam not projecting too far to the right where it would dazzle oncoming traffic. Given the low annual mileage, it is also worth checking the condition of the battery, as low-use vehicles frequently suffer from flat or weakened 12V batteries, and inspecting all exterior and under-bonnet rubber components for age-related perishing. A scan for any stored diagnostic trouble codes, particularly relating to the emissions system, ABS sensors and tyre pressure monitoring system, would round out a sensible pre-purchase check for a low-mileage Qashqai of this age.