Nissan Qashqai MOT Failures
An analysis of 2,635,338 real DVSA MOT tests on the Nissan Qashqai — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: J10 (2006–2013), J11 (2014–2021).
Where the Nissan Qashqai fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Nissan Qashqai is track rod ends worn — this model is 20 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 2,635,338 MOT tests, 3.75% of all Nissan Qashqai tests recorded this as a failure.
Steering faults include worn track rod ends, power steering leaks, and rack wear. These are safety-critical — any play in the steering should be investigated immediately.
Other notable weak points include engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (13x the fleet average), light unit fault (31x the fleet average), suspension component fractured or (22x the fleet average), and subframe bushes or mounts worn (15x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Nissan Qashqai's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Steering, Bodywork, Lights & Electrics, Suspension, Exhaust & Emissions. If you're inspecting a Nissan Qashqai before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Nissan Qashqai's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Nissan Qashqai specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (49x the average) and light unit fault (31x). coil springs broken (27x) and brake hoses perished or damaged (24x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Nissan Qashqai specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are airbag fault (16x the average) and engine mounting/bracket fractured, missing or l... (15x). headlight fault (14x) and suspension component with an unsafe modification (14x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Nissan Qashqai specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are electrical wiring fault (36x the average) and headlight fault (15x). engine mounting/bracket fractured, missing or l... (15x) and subframe bushes or mounts worn (13x) also appear frequently.
The shift from emissions failure at lower mileages to electrical wiring fault at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Nissan Qashqai specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Excessive oil consumption and engine failure (J11) Dangerous
The 1.2 DIG-T HRA2 engine has a severe design flaw in the piston rings and cylinder bore finish that causes catastrophic oil consumption, often exceeding 1 litre per 1000 miles. Affects J11; typical independent garage repair cost is £3,000–£5,000.
Timing belt neglect (J10) Dangerous
Early diesel Qashqais use interference engines where the timing belt synchronises valve and piston movement. Affects J10; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£600.
Suspension component fracture (J10/J11) Dangerous
MOT data reveals Qashqais suffer suspension component fractures at 230.7x the fleet average, particularly on higher-mileage examples with 2.0-litre engines. Affects J10, J11; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£600.
Timing chain stretch (J11) Major
The HRA2 1.2 DIG-T engine suffers from premature timing chain stretch due to inadequate tensioner design and oil quality degradation from the severe oil consumption issue. Affects J11; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£1,200.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Nissan Qashqai common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Nissan Qashqai
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Nissan Qashqai:
Steering — check for track rod ends worn. Bodywork — check for engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det.... Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault, headlight fault, front or rear fog lamp not securely attached. Suspension — check for suspension component fractured or, subframe bushes or mounts worn.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about excessive oil consumption and engine failure and timing belt neglect. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £3,000. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Nissan Qashqai?
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Nissan Qashqai MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Nissan Qashqai?
Based on 2,635,338 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is track rod ends worn — at 20x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... and light unit fault.
Is the Nissan Qashqai reliable based on MOT data?
The Nissan Qashqai has 24 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag excessive oil consumption and engine failure as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Nissan Qashqai most commonly fails on electrical wiring fault and headlight fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are emissions failure and light unit fault.
How do I check a Nissan Qashqai's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.