Love-it-or-hate-it crossover that holds its value
The Juke created the small crossover segment in 2010 and remains one of the UK's best-selling used SUVs. Mk1 (2010-2019) examples start from around £3,000-£5,000, while Mk2 (2019+) models sit at £12,000-£18,000. Competes with Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008, and Vauxhall Mokka, appealing strongly to younger buyers and urban drivers.
We track 12 known issues across the Nissan JUKE range, including 2 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Nissan JUKE? Enter the reg to see which of our 12 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
F15 (2010–2019) — Petrol options included the 1.2 DIG-T, 1.2 DIG-T, 1.5 Petrol, 1.6 DIG-T, 1.6 Petrol, 1.6 Petrol, with 1.5 dCi, 1.5 dCi on the diesel side. Our database flags 12 known issues on this generation, 2 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is CVT gearbox failure (£3,500–£5,500 to address).
The CVT (continuously variable transmission) automatic gearbox is fundamentally unreliable on the F15 Juke. The steel belt and pulley system suffers from premature wear, causing complete transmission failure without warning. Nissan extended warranties to 10 years/120,000 miles on some markets due to the scale of the problem, but UK cars received no such protection. Replacement costs routinely exceed the vehicle's value, making this the most financially devastating fault on the model.
Complete transmission failure leaves the vehicle immobile and unsafe to drive. Replacement with a remanufactured CVT costs £4,000-£6,000 plus fitting. Many owners choose to scrap vehicles rather than repair them due to the cost versus value ratio. There is no economical repair option for internal CVT damage.
Test the automatic gearbox extensively in slow traffic, car parks and on hill starts. Feel for any juddering, hesitation or clunking during gear changes. Try repeated low-speed manoeuvres as this is where problems are most apparent.
The brake lines are inadequately protected from road salt and moisture, causing premature corrosion that leads to brake fluid leaks and potential brake failure. This affects the steel brake lines rather than the flexible hoses, making detection more difficult during routine inspections.
Brake line failure causes complete loss of braking ability and creates an immediate safety risk. The vehicle should not be driven with suspected brake line problems. Brake line replacement costs £300-£800 depending on which lines are affected. This is a safety-critical repair that must be addressed immediately to prevent accidents.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
The 1.2 DIG-T turbocharged engine uses a timing chain system prone to premature stretching due to inadequate tensioner design and oil quality sensitivity. The chain stretches beyond acceptable limits, causing timing retardation that triggers engine management warnings and rough running. If left unattended, complete chain failure destroys the interference engine through piston-to-valve contact.
Complete chain failure causes catastrophic engine damage as pistons strike open valves. A complete engine rebuild or replacement costs £4,000-£8,000. Early intervention with chain and tensioner replacement costs £800-£1,500 but must be performed before failure occurs. The engine should not be driven if chain noise is evident.
Listen carefully for a rattle or ticking noise from the engine on cold start — this is the most common early sign. Ask for evidence of chain replacement in the service history. On higher-mileage cars without documented replacement, budget for preventative work.
The 1.6 DIG-T turbocharger suffers from oil feed line blockages caused by carbon deposits and oil degradation. The small-bore oil supply lines become restricted, starving the turbo bearings of lubrication. This leads to bearing failure, shaft play, and complete turbocharger destruction. The issue is exacerbated by extended service intervals and inadequate oil specification.
Complete turbo failure results in loss of power, potential engine damage from oil contamination, and expensive replacement costs. A replacement turbocharger costs £1,000-£2,500 fitted. Failed turbos can send metal debris into the intake system, requiring additional cleaning work. The vehicle remains driveable but with significantly reduced performance.
During a test drive, check for hesitation, lack of power or unusual whining from the turbo area. Watch for blue or white smoke from the exhaust under hard acceleration. Check the oil condition and service history — turbos rely on clean oil.
The 1.5 dCi diesel engine features an undersized diesel particulate filter (DPF) that blocks easily during short-journey use. The blocked DPF creates excessive backpressure, damaging the turbocharger and causing complete power loss. The regeneration system is ineffective compared to later Nissan designs, making this a persistent problem rather than an occasional inconvenience.
A completely blocked DPF causes turbo failure, limp-mode operation, and potential engine damage from excessive soot buildup. DPF replacement costs £1,200-£2,000, turbo replacement adds another £1,000-£2,000. Professional DPF cleaning costs £200-£400 but is only effective if performed before complete blockage occurs. The vehicle may become undriveable in limp mode.
Ask about the car's typical usage — short urban journeys prevent DPF regeneration. Check for DPF warning lights and ask about any previous regeneration issues. A forced regeneration at a garage costs far less than a DPF replacement.
For the full breakdown of all 12 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Nissan JUKE common problems page.
Based on 1.5M real DVSA MOT tests, the Nissan JUKE fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is fluid leak at 66x the fleet average, followed by body panel damage (56x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Nissan JUKE MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 13k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Nissan JUKE service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Nissan JUKE has some well-documented weak points, including 2 safety-critical issues that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. Mk2 from 2020 onwards with the 1.0 DIG-T manual is the sweet spot — early Mk2 teething issues were resolved by the 2020 model year, and the manual avoids the DCT gearbox concerns. For Mk1 buyers, 2014-2017 1.2 DIG-T manual models are best — the smaller turbo engine avoids the MR16DDT turbo failures and the CVT gearbox entirely. Avoid any Mk1 with CVT transmission.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Nissan JUKE, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 12 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 12 known Nissan JUKE issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.