Nissan Qashqai common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Nissan Qashqai, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 1,717,076 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
Pick the year
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007
Generation guides: Nissan Qashqai Mk1 (J10) (2007–2014) · Nissan Qashqai Mk2 (J11) (2014–2021)
What usually goes wrong with a Nissan Qashqai?
Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.
- Cars registered 2014–2021 · 1.2 DIG-T petrol
Oil burning (1.2 DIG-T)
Owners report heavy oil use and some piston failures on the 1.2 DIG-T petrol, sometimes needing a new engine.
At the viewing: Check the oil level on the dipstick. A spare bottle of oil in the boot is a warning sign. Listen for a noisy timing chain.
- Cars registered 2007–2013 · All engines
Steering recalls
This Qashqai was recalled five times over steering, including power steering that could fail on cars built August 2010 to August 2011.
At the viewing: Ask a Nissan dealer to check the VIN.
- Cars registered 2007–2013 · 1.5 dCi diesel
Cambelt on the 1.5 dCi
The 1.5 dCi diesel has a cambelt due every 6 years or 100,000 miles.
At the viewing: Look for the cambelt receipt.
If it needs doing: Timing belt (cambelt) change, about £300–£700 (often with the water pump). ClickMechanic
- Cars registered 2022–2025 · Some cars
Steering wheel sensor and battery display recalls
About 9,500 cars were recalled because the steering wheel could wrongly sense hands on the wheel with ProPilot on, and about 21,000 for a battery charge display that could jump around.
At the viewing: Ask a Nissan dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.
Source: What Car?: used Nissan Qashqai (2021 on) reliability
- Cars registered 2014–2021 · 1.5 dCi diesel
Turbo and particulate filter (1.5 dCi)
The 1.5 dCi diesel’s turbo can fail early, and town-driven cars can block the EGR valve and particulate filter.
At the viewing: Listen for a whistle and loss of power, and watch for DPF or EGR warning lights.
If it needs doing: DPF clean or regeneration, about £160–£500. ClickMechanic
- Cars registered 2007–2013 · All engines
Ignition barrel failure
The ignition barrel can fail so the key won't come out or the engine won't switch off. It's about £500 to fix.
At the viewing: Turn the key through every position and take it out.
- Cars registered 2014–2017 · CVT automatic only
CVT automatic judder
The CVT automatic on earlier cars can judder at low speed and overheat on long climbs. Replacement is expensive.
At the viewing: If it’s an automatic, test for judder at low speed and look for a gearbox temperature warning.
- Cars registered 2022–2025 · e-Power hybrid
Costly e-Power repairs out of warranty
Repairs to the e-Power hybrid system can be expensive once the three-year warranty has ended.
At the viewing: Check the warranty status and any hybrid repairs.
Source: What Car?: used Nissan Qashqai (2021 on) reliability
- Cars registered 2014–2021
Rear springs breaking
Rear springs commonly snap. The first sign is a knock from the back over bumps.
At the viewing: Listen for a knock from the rear on bumpy roads.
- Cars registered 2007–2013 · All engines
Worn rear shocks
Rattles from the rear suspension and worn rear shock absorbers are common.
At the viewing: Listen over bumps and look for oily shock absorbers behind the rear wheels.
If it needs doing: Shock absorbers (pair), about £200–£300. ClickMechanic
1 more known fault
- Cars registered 2022–2025 · All versions
Infotainment freezes and phantom warnings
Most faults are infotainment and electrical: NissanConnect can freeze and software glitches bring up false warning lights.
At the viewing: Use the screen and check no warnings stay on.
Source: What Car?: used Nissan Qashqai (2021 on) reliability
Common Nissan Qashqai MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Petrol
Brake pads
up to 2.4× usualStands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.
Track rod ends
up to 5.7× usualStands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Ball joint dust cover
up to 6.4× usualStands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Drive shaft (CV) joints
up to 4.8× usualStands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Rough price £60–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.
Ball joint
up to 3.1× usualStands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Suspension arm bushes and joints
up to 2.4× usualStands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2019.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Diesel
Brake pads
up to 2.2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.
Track rod ends
up to 6.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Ball joint
up to 3.8× usualStands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Suspension arm bushes and joints
up to 2.7× usualStands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Drive shaft (CV) joints
up to 4.7× usualStands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Rough price £60–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.
Ball joint dust cover
up to 7× usualStands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Hybrid
Brake pads
up to 2.1× usualStands out on cars registered in 2021 and 2022.
Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.
Nissan Qashqai MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2021 Nissan Qashqai did best (89% passed first time, 2 points above all 2021 cars) and the 2009 did worst (43%, 16 points below all 2009 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 93% | 92% +1 | 1,963 |
| 2022 | 90% | 89% +1 | 44,556 |
| 2021 | 89% | 87% +2 | 60,938 |
| 2020 | 89% | 87% +2 | 98,633 |
| 2019 | 86% | 85% +1 | 148,211 |
| 2018 | 82% | 83% -1 | 139,650 |
| 2017 | 79% | 80% -1 | 176,794 |
| 2016 | 76% | 77% -1 | 173,164 |
| 2015 | 72% | 74% -2 | 166,644 |
| 2014 | 68% | 70% -2 | 132,431 |
| 2013 | 56% | 67% -11 | 134,741 |
| 2012 | 52% | 64% -12 | 119,401 |
| 2011 | 50% | 62% -12 | 97,537 |
| 2010 | 47% | 60% -13 | 89,993 |
| 2009 | 43% | 59% -16 | 66,064 |
| 2008 | 44% | 57% -13 | 38,220 |
| 2007 | 45% | 57% -12 | 28,136 |
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Nissan Qashqai
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Does it use much oil between services?
- Has all the recall work been done?
- When was the cambelt changed?
- Have the steering wheel and battery display recalls been done?
- Has the ignition barrel been replaced?
- Have the rear shocks been replaced?
Looking at a Nissan Qashqai?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score