2015 Nissan Qashqai 1.5L Diesel · YA15 YLE

Brake wear is the defining mechanical thread running through this Qashqai's MOT history, with a pattern of front and rear disc and pad advisories stretching back to 2020 and reappearing as recently as the August 2022 test. The most recent examination on 6 August 2022 recorded a pass, but flagged that the front brake pads were wearing thin, continuing a trend that began when both front brake discs and both rear brake discs were noted as worn, pitted or scored in mid-2020, alongside two front tyres that were already worn close to the legal limit. That earlier inspection on 23 June 2020 also resulted in a failure with a major defect recorded for an inoperative or malfunctioning engine management indicator lamp, a fault that was rectified for the re-test thirteen days later. The overall picture is therefore one of broadly consistent roadworthiness punctuated by recurring friction-component advisories and a single emissions-related failure rather than structural or corrosion concerns. Against an age of roughly eleven years, the recorded 81,745 miles equates to an average annual accumulation of around 7,431 miles, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a vehicle of this type. The testing cadence shows annual examinations from 2018 through 2022, with no extended off-road gaps that would suggest a prolonged period of standing or a hiatus from annual compliance testing. Mileage progression between recorded tests appears steady rather than abrupt, indicating the vehicle has been in regular service rather than subject to sudden high-mileage use or long-term storage. For a Qashqai of this age and mileage, this kind of consistent working life tends to translate into predictable wear on consumables such as brake friction material, tyres, and suspension bushes rather than the corrosion risks more commonly associated with low-mileage or garage-kept examples. A focused inspection should concentrate on the braking system that has produced repeated defects in the record. On a test drive, listen for any grinding or scraping from the front calipers when pulling away, particularly from cold, and check whether the brake pedal feels spongy or requires extra travel, which could indicate worn pads approaching metal-on-metal contact or a caliper slider that has seized as a consequence of the pitted disc condition previously flagged. Inspect both front and rear discs through the wheels for visible lipping at the outer edge and for a deep groove or score pattern across the swept area, as pitted discs on a vehicle of this mileage frequently recur after a couple of years. Verify that the front tyres are not only legal but evenly across their shoulders, since the previous record showed edge wear on both front tyres which can point to misalignment, worn suspension components, or incorrect inflation. Beyond the braking system, the 2020 failure for an inoperative engine management indicator lamp warrants a check for the original fault's recurrence, particularly any stored diagnostic trouble codes relating to the emissions system, catalytic converter efficiency, or oxygen sensors, which are common culprits on Qashqai diesels and petrols of this generation. During a road test, observe whether the engine management light illuminates correctly with the ignition before extinguishing at start-up, and whether the engine runs smoothly without hesitation, misfire, or excessive smoke under load. Given the recorded mileage, it is also sensible to inspect the suspension for worn front wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, and rear shock absorbers, listening for clonking noises over speed humps and uneven surfaces and feeling for any vagueness through the steering wheel. Finally, examine the underside for brake pipe corrosion, subframe surface rust, and any signs of oil or coolant leaks from the engine and transmission, areas that have not yet surfaced in the MOT record but would be expected to show on a working vehicle of this age and mileage.