(2021 registrations)
(2020 registrations)
at test (all gens)
owner complaint
The Qashqai invented the family crossover class in Britain and still sells over 41,000 units a year. 2021 is the launch year of the third-generation J12, which brought a 12V mild hybrid system and, later in the run, the e-Power series hybrid. MOT results for 2021 cars are excellent, and the 1.3 DIG-T engine is a clear improvement on the older 1.2. The issues that do appear are almost all electrical rather than mechanical.
Figures are derived from the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset, published under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Every MOT records the test outcome plus each defect as a coded “reason for rejection” or advisory.
Percentages are share of tests, not share of failures — so “2.6% tyre tread” means 2.6 in every 100 tests failed for that item. A single test can record several defects, so the columns do not sum to 100%.
A UK car does not need its first MOT until it is three years old, so a 2021 registration reached its first test in 2024. Every figure on this page describes that registration year and no other.
The 2021 cohort is real but younger and smaller than for a mature model, so read the pass rate below as a strong signal rather than a settled average.
On a car this young, outstanding recalls, remaining manufacturer warranty and a service record showing the correct oil tell you more than any pass rate can.
Top MOT failure items
These are the defects that actually caused a Nissan Qashqai (2021) to fail its MOT, ranked by how often they appear across all tests.
Most common MOT advisories
Advisories are the early-warning layer. They don’t fail the car, but they tell you what the next owner will be paying for — and they are the single most useful thing to read before you buy.
| Advisory item | Share of tests | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre worn close to legal limit | 10.4% | 19in alloys on higher trims are expensive. |
| Brake pads wearing thin | 8.6% | Budget £170–£310 per axle. |
| Brake disc lightly corroded | 5.1% | Common on cars that sit unused. |
| Suspension bush slight deterioration | 3.8% | Early wear at this age. |
| Wiper blade deteriorated | 2.9% | Cheap fix. |
| Engine oil leak (not excessive) | 2.1% | Investigate on a young car. |
| Brake fluid contaminated | 1.8% | Due around three years. |
| Ball joint dust cover deteriorated | 1.5% | Precedes the No.2 failure item. |
| Exhaust minor corrosion | 1.1% | Surface only. |
| Coil spring corroded | 0.7% | Rare this early. |
Which system fails most
Grouping every recorded defect by vehicle system shows where the money goes on a three-year-old Qashqai.
Across 923,364 MOT tests on all Qashqai generations, the pass rate is 76.1%. Median mileage at test is 106,522 miles and the average repair bill is around £126. Of failures, 57.3% are safety items, but only 8.8% would strand the driver.
That model-level figure is misleading for a modern car. 2020 registrations pass at 91.1% and 2021 cars at 90.9%, against 60.4% for 2007 cars. The J12 is a much better car than the aggregate suggests.
Model averages describe the model. Enter the registration to see this car’s real MOT history, every recorded advisory, its mileage timeline and any finance, theft or write-off markers.
Mild hybrid vs e-Power: two very different cars
The J12 is sold with two quite different electrified powertrains, and they fail in different ways. Establish which one you are looking at, because the ownership experience and the known issues are not the same.
- The 12V mild hybrid system can drain the battery when the car is parked, with reports of flat batteries after one to two weeks standing.
- Cause is the battery management system not always commanding correct charging voltage, plus modules drawing current when they fail to enter sleep mode.
- Presents as an array of unrelated-looking electrical warnings rather than an obvious hybrid fault.
- The 1.3 DIG-T engine itself is robust and a clear step up from the older 1.2 DIG-T.
- The petrol engine never drives the wheels — it charges a battery that powers an electric motor.
- Some owners have reported e-Power system faults tied to voltage fluctuation, in a few cases requiring a battery pack replacement under warranty.
- Drives like an EV, so test it for the low-speed lurch some owners notice when coming to a stop.
- Newer and more complex — remaining warranty matters more here than on the mild hybrid.
Known faults the MOT won’t catch
The MOT tests roadworthiness, not mechanical health. These are the expensive items owners actually report — costs are indicative UK independent-specialist ranges, not quotes.
Pre-purchase checklist
Work through this in order. The first few cost nothing and rule out most bad cars.
- Establish the powertrain first — 1.3 DIG-T mild hybrid or e-Power. They have different risks.
- Confirm the fuel pressure sensor recall has been completed with a Nissan dealer.
- Ask whether the 12V battery has been replaced, and how the car is used. Short trips and long standing periods cause drain.
- On e-Power cars, check remaining warranty on the high-voltage system before anything else.
- Test drive at low speed in traffic, not just on an open road, to feel any hybrid lurch.
- Ignore the model-level MOT pass rate. It reflects 2007-2013 cars; your J12 cohort passes at over 90%.
- Check tyres carefully on higher trims — 19in alloys are expensive to reshoe.
- Verify finance and write-off status before committing.
FAQs
Is the Nissan Qashqai reliable?
The current J12 generation is. 2020 registrations pass MOT at 91.1% and 2021 cars at 90.9%. The model-level figure of 76.1% is much lower only because it includes 2007-2013 cars. The J12 also placed 11th of 34 family SUVs in the 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey.
Why does my Qashqai battery keep going flat?
The 12V mild hybrid system can draw current when parked if modules do not enter sleep mode, and the battery management system does not always command the right charging voltage. Cars left standing for one to two weeks are most affected. It usually presents as assorted electrical warnings rather than an obvious hybrid fault.
Is e-Power better than the mild hybrid?
They are different rather than better. e-Power uses the petrol engine purely as a generator and drives like an EV, but it is newer and more complex, and some owners have reported voltage-related faults. On an e-Power car the remaining warranty matters considerably more.
What fails a Qashqai MOT most often?
Worn suspension pins, bushes and joints at 7.1% of tests, then steering ball joints at 3.7%. Both figures reflect older high-mileage cars; they are not typical of a three-year-old J12.
What recalls affect the Nissan Qashqai J12?
A recall covering a fuel pressure sensor that was not properly tightened affected around 1,665 vehicles. Confirm with a Nissan dealer that it has been completed before purchase.
A CarCheckReport covers MOT and advisory history, mileage anomalies, outstanding finance, insurance write-off records, stolen markers, import and scrapped status — using DVLA, DVSA and Experian data.