2018 Nissan Juke: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Nissan Juke?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Nissan Juke than on all cars registered in 2018.

• Ball joint4.4× usual
  Nissan Juke

  5.7% All 2018 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 0.6% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

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

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.2× usual
  Nissan Juke

  7% All 2018 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.5% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Engine oil leaks2.9× usual
  Nissan Juke

  4% All 2018 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Rigid brake pipes3× usual
  Nissan Juke

  2.4% All 2018 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.1% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Washers1.7× usual
  Nissan Juke

  2.6% All 2018 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.5% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

Common 2018 Nissan Juke MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Nissan Juke MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  31% 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.

• Brakes
  19% 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.

• Suspension
  15% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  7% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  4% 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.

Known faults on the 2018 Nissan Juke

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Timing chain and oil use (1.2 DIG-T)

  1.2 DIG-T petrol

  The 1.2 petrol can wear its timing chain and burn oil. Buying guides advise avoiding it.

  At the viewing: Listen for a rattle on a cold start and check the oil level.

  Source: Parkers: Nissan Juke (2010-2019) used review

• CVT automatic

  CVT automatic and all 4x4s

  The CVT needs fluid changes about every 30,000 miles, or it can fail. All 4x4 versions have it.

  At the viewing: Ask for gearbox service receipts and walk away from judder, noises or warnings.

  Source: Parkers: Nissan Juke (2010-2019) used review

• Timing belt (1.5 dCi)

  1.5 dCi diesel

  The 1.5 diesel’s timing belt is due at 5 years or 72,000 miles, and some fail earlier.

  At the viewing: Ask for proof of a belt change.

  If it needs doing: Timing belt (cambelt) change, about £300–£700 (often with the water pump). ClickMechanic

  Source: Parkers: Nissan Juke (2010-2019) used review

• Turbo lag and timing chain (1.6 turbo)

  1.6 turbo petrol

  The 1.6 turbo petrol can stretch its timing chain and suffer turbo problems.

  At the viewing: Listen for rattles and check the service history.

  Source: Parkers: Nissan Juke (2010-2019) used review

• Rust underneath

  Subframes, sills, suspension mountings and the base of the windscreen can rust.

  At the viewing: Look underneath and check the MOT history for corrosion advisories.

  Source: Parkers: Nissan Juke (2010-2019) used review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 Nissan Juke

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Does it use much oil, and has the timing chain ever been checked?
2. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 4.4× as often on the 2018 Nissan Juke as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2018 Nissan Juke as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2018 Nissan Juke as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?