2010 Nissan Qashqai 1.5L Diesel · WM59 AXD

This Qashqai presents a notably inconsistent MOT history that warrants careful attention. The vehicle has alternated between pass and fail outcomes at each annual test for the past three years, with the most recent assessment on 23 April 2025 recording both a pass and a fail on the same day. The absence of any recorded defects on these occasions is unusual and suggests the failure was likely related to administrative items or items the garage chose not to catalogue, but the pattern itself indicates borderline roadworthiness year-on-year rather than a stable, confident pass history. A buyer should establish from the supplying garage or DVSA exactly what caused the 2025 failure, as a same-day retest pass following an initial failure means the vehicle was repaired or adjusted immediately prior to the pass certificate being issued. With 141,766 miles recorded on a 2010 vehicle, this Qashqai has covered approximately 8,860 miles annually, which sits close to the average for its age. The mileage progression implies steady, regular use rather than long periods of standing or extreme motorway accumulation, which is generally favourable for drivetrain longevity. However, at this overall odometer reading, the mechanical components typically associated with high-mileage wear will be approaching or past the threshold for replacement, including timing chain hardware, dual-mass flywheel condition on the diesel variants, suspension bushes, and anti-roll bar drop links. The relatively smooth annual accumulation means the wear has been gradual rather than abrupt, but the cumulative figure still places significant demand on consumables and moving assemblies. A test drive should focus squarely on the symptoms associated with the components most prone to wear on a Qashqai of this mileage. Listen for clonking or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which typically indicates worn lower control arm bushes or anti-roll bar drop links; these are a known chronic advisory on this model. Check for vibration through the steering wheel under braking, which points to warped front brake discs, and feel for any pulling to one side that could suggest a binding caliper or uneven pad wear. Inspect the underside for any signs of oil misting around the engine and gearbox joiners, and examine the rear axle and subframe mounting areas for surface corrosion, as Qashqais of this generation are known to develop rust in these regions, particularly around the rear spring seats and exhaust mounting points. Given the pass-fail-pass-fail pattern, a prospective buyer should request the previous MOT certificates or ask the seller to demonstrate what was rectified between the failure and pass on 23 April 2025. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent garage is strongly advisable, with particular attention to a compression test on the engine if it is a diesel variant, given the high mileage. Check the timing chain for any rattle on cold start, as this is a well-documented failure point on the 1.5 and 1.6 dCi units once past 100,000 miles, and inspect the clutch for any slipping under load or judder when pulling away. The vehicle appears mechanically serviceable based on the current pass certificate, but the borderline history and high overall mileage demand a thorough hands-on appraisal before committing to purchase.