2018 Infiniti Q50 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Infiniti Q50 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Infiniti Q50 diesel than on all cars registered in 2018.

• Anti-roll bar link joints28.5× usual
  Infiniti Q50

  11.4% All 2018 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.1% of all 2018 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

  20.6% All 2018 cars

  11%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 2% of all 2018 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 joint6.5× usual
  Infiniti Q50

  6.5% All 2018 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.4% of all 2018 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.

Common 2018 Infiniti Q50 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Infiniti Q50 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• 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.

• Tyres
  27% 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
  19% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  6% 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  2% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 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 28.5× as often on the 2018 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 2018 Infiniti Q50 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 6.5× as often on the 2018 Infiniti Q50 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?