2016 Infiniti Q50 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Infiniti Q50 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Infiniti Q50 diesel than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Anti-roll bar link joints21.6× usual
  Infiniti Q50

  17.3% All 2016 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.3% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Brake pads1.9× usual
  Infiniti Q50

  19.7% All 2016 cars

  10.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 2.2% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Ball joint5× usual
  Infiniti Q50

  10.9% All 2016 cars

  2.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1.2% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Wheel bearings5.4× usual
  Infiniti Q50

  2.7% All 2016 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.2% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

• Sub-frame4.8× usual
  Infiniti Q50

  2.4% All 2016 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Common 2016 Infiniti Q50 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Infiniti Q50 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  31% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Suspension
  29% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Brakes
  29% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  11% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  5% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  3% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 Infiniti Q50 diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 21.6× as often on the 2016 Infiniti Q50 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2016 Infiniti Q50 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 5× as often on the 2016 Infiniti Q50 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?