2012 Nissan Qashqai 1.6L Diesel · SL62 NPF

The vehicle currently holds a roadworthy status, though the maintenance history indicates a reactive rather than proactive approach to repairs. The most recent test on 31 December 2025 at 83,174 miles resulted in a failure due to an offside front lower steering linkage ball joint with excessive play. While the vehicle passed immediately following this repair, the pattern suggests that the owner only addresses critical mechanical components once they reach a point of failure during a DVSA inspection. The mileage profile is notably low for a 14-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 5,900 miles per year. Between the 76,045 miles recorded in January 2024 and 79,344 miles in December 2024, the car covered only 3,300 miles. This low usage often leads to rubber-based components degrading through age and oxidation, as seen in the January 2024 advisory regarding slight cracks in the rear tyre treads, which typically stem from long periods of standing rather than heavy driving. A buyer should focus specifically on the front suspension and rubber components during a physical inspection. Given the failure of the steering linkage ball joint in late 2025, a thorough check of the remaining ball joints, tie rod ends, and bushings is necessary to ensure no other failures are imminent. The previous 2024 failure regarding ineffective wipers indicates that basic consumable items are neglected until necessary, so an inspection of the wiper blades and windscreen condition for cracks or pitting is warranted.