Nissan Qashqai: what fails at MOT
800,000 MOT tests on the Nissan Qashqai in 2024, counted. 29.6% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
29.6% of Nissan Qashqai tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 24.1%, so the Qashqai does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on suspension (8.8% of tests), lights and electrics (6.9% of tests) and brakes (5.4% of tests). It fails on suspension, brakes and steering more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 48,559 | 9.1% | 10.9% | 22,100 15,200 to 30,800 |
| 2020 | 47,939 | 9.5% | 11.5% | 27,900 19,800 to 38,100 |
| 2019 | 73,973 | 13.2% | 13.4% | 36,200 26,900 to 47,700 |
| 2018 | 66,945 | 16.8% | 15.6% | 46,200 34,800 to 59,200 |
| 2017 | 83,675 | 19.3% | 18.2% | 53,700 41,200 to 68,100 |
| 2016 | 80,089 | 23.3% | 21.3% | 62,400 48,100 to 78,900 |
| 2015 | 75,785 | 27.0% | 24.4% | 71,900 55,800 to 90,200 |
| 2014 | 58,276 | 31.8% | 27.7% | 81,600 64,600 to 100,500 |
| 2013 | 60,786 | 43.8% | 30.6% | 86,400 68,200 to 106,500 |
| 2012 | 54,270 | 48.0% | 33.4% | 95,500 76,500 to 116,300 |
| 2011 | 45,336 | 49.9% | 36.1% | 103,300 84,200 to 123,800 |
| 2010 | 41,998 | 53.1% | 38.6% | 111,900 91,400 to 133,200 |
| 2009 | 31,022 | 57.1% | 39.8% | 116,000 95,000 to 137,800 |
| 2008 | 17,903 | 56.4% | 41.5% | 119,500 97,500 to 141,800 |
| 2007 | 13,291 | 55.1% | 41.5% | 121,000 101,100 to 141,800 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Nissan Qashqai tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Qashqai | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 8.8% | 5.0% | More than most |
| Lights and electrics | 6.9% | 6.2% | |
| Brakes | 5.4% | 3.8% | More than most |
| Steering | 4.3% | 1.1% | More than most |
| Tyres | 4.1% | 4.1% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.4% | 2.7% | |
| Body and structure | 3.0% | 1.7% | More than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.8% | 1.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Track rod end4.1%
- Ball joint3.8%
- Brake pads3.0%
- Side light2.8%
- Driveshaft joint2.4%
- Seat belt2.2%
- Tyre tread2.1%
- Washers1.9%
- Suspension pins and bushes1.8%
- Wipers1.4%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Ball joint: excessively worn3.6%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.5%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.8%
- Side light: not working2.6%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.3%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.0%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.7%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn1.4%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.4%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.2%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge12.8%
- Brake pads: wearing thin10.4%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.4%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement6.4%
- Track rod end: ball joint has slight play3.0%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt2.8%
- Ball joint: has slight play2.4%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
Check a Nissan Qashqai's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.