Used car guide

2012 Nissan Qashqai: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Nissan Qashqais, from 38,724 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

38,724MOT tests in 2025
50%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
7,800typical miles a year
5.4×the usual rate for track rod end

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Nissan Qashqais than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Track rod end5.4× usual
    Nissan Qashqai
    26.6% All 2012 cars
    4.9%
    Rough price £80–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.8× usual
    Nissan Qashqai
    16.7% All 2012 cars
    4.4%
    Rough price £60–£350

    At 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 joint2.9× usual
    Nissan Qashqai
    16.2% All 2012 cars
    5.6%
    Rough price £80–£200

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Brake pads1.9× usual
    Nissan Qashqai
    18.4% All 2012 cars
    9.6%
    Rough price £80–£180

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Position lamp2.6× usual
    Nissan Qashqai
    12.8% All 2012 cars
    5%
    Rough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 1.5% here, against 6.5% of all 2012 cars. Exhaust system: 1.6% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Nissan Qashqai MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    59% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    36% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    35% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    33% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    17% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    12% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
202115,476Tyres 25%
202031,428Tyres 29%
201949,723Tyres 31%
201847,031Tyres 31%
201759,502Tyres 31%
201658,096Suspension 36%
201555,621Suspension 40%
201443,675Suspension 48%
201344,378Suspension 57%
201130,934Suspension 63%
201027,883Suspension 64%
200919,568Suspension 67%
200811,014Suspension 66%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Nissan Qashqais registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score