2020 Nissan Qashqai 1.3L Petrol · SL70 HMF

A pattern of brake-related advisories recorded at the 2025 test defines the most informative mechanical signal in this Qashqai's history, with all four corners flagged for fluctuating service brake performance and the nearside front disc noted as worn, pitted or scored. The vehicle passed both the 2024 and 2023 tests without any recorded defects, and the most recent examination on 3 July 2026 also returned a clean pass with no advisories, so the trend has not deteriorated into a failure. Nevertheless, the 2025 entry is significant because brake fluctuations across every axle typically indicate either contaminated or glazed friction material, sticking or binding caliper mechanisms, or uneven pad wear, while pitted and scored discs suggest prolonged use with worn pads and possible thermal stress on the braking surface. The fact that the subsequent test passed cleanly does not guarantee that those components were renewed; they may simply have remained within legal limits but closer to the advisory threshold than a newer system would be. Annual mileage of roughly 6,067 miles is broadly typical for a six-year-old family crossover of this type, and the recorded progression between tests is consistent with normal steady use rather than long periods of standing or sudden high-mileage accumulation. There are no extended gaps in the MOT record beyond the standard annual cycle, so the vehicle has remained in continuous road use and has not been laid up for any multi-year period that would raise separate concerns about dormant components seizing or fluids degrading without intervention. This kind of consistent, moderate usage is generally neutral for a vehicle of this age, neither accelerating nor significantly reducing the rate at which consumable items wear, and the absence of advisories on suspension, corrosion, tyres or exhaust components across all four recorded tests suggests the chassis and underbody have not developed any structural concerns to date. For a prospective buyer, the priority on inspection is the braking system that produced the 2025 advisories. On a test drive, listen for any grinding, squeal or scraping from the front wheels under light braking, and pay attention to whether the pedal feels uneven, spongy or requires excessive travel, any of which could indicate that the pitted nearside front disc has progressed beyond the advisory threshold or that caliper sliders have begun to seize. Check for vehicle pull to one side under firm braking, which would suggest uneven friction material or a sticking caliper, and inspect the nearside front disc in person for a visible lip at the outer edge and a rough, scored surface texture rather than a smooth finish. Because the offside front disc was not specifically flagged, an uneven wear pattern between the two front discs could itself be a useful diagnostic clue if symptoms appear. Beyond the braking system, it is worth conducting a general test drive over uneven road surfaces to verify the integrity of the suspension, steering and drivetrain, since none of these areas have been independently flagged in the MOT record but they remain critical on a vehicle of this age and weight class. Listen for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed humps and potholes, which would indicate worn wishbone bushes, drop links or anti-roll bar mountings, and feel for any vagueness, vibration or knocking through the steering wheel that could point to track rod ends or steering rack wear. On the visual inspection, examine the underside of the vehicle, particularly the subframe, brake pipes, fuel lines and suspension mounting points, for any surface corrosion, and check that all visible brake pipes are free from rust, swelling or weeping at their joints, as these items commonly attract advisories on similar age vehicles even when not yet flagged here. Finally, confirm that the brake fluid has been refreshed within the last two to three years in line with manufacturer schedule, as no such service interval is verifiable from the MOT record itself.