2012 Nissan Qashqai: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Nissan Qashqai?

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

• Track rod ends5.4× usual
  Nissan Qashqai

  26.6% All 2012 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 13.7%, against 2.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

  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%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.8%, against 2.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  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%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.1%, against 3% of all 2012 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.

• Brake pads1.9× usual
  Nissan Qashqai

  18.4% All 2012 cars

  9.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 2.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

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

• Sidelights2.6× usual
  Nissan Qashqai

  12.8% All 2012 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 11.7%, against 4.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

Common 2012 Nissan Qashqai MOT failures and advisories

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.

Known faults on the 2012 Nissan Qashqai

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.

• Steering recalls

  All engines

  This Qashqai was recalled five times over steering, including power steering that could fail on cars built August 2010 to August 2011.

  At the viewing: Ask a Nissan dealer to check the VIN.

  Source: Auto Express: used Nissan Qashqai Mk1 review

• Cambelt on the 1.5 dCi

  1.5 dCi diesel

  The 1.5 dCi diesel has a cambelt due every 6 years or 100,000 miles.

  At the viewing: Look for the cambelt receipt.

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

  Source: Auto Express: used Nissan Qashqai Mk1 review

• Ignition barrel failure

  All engines

  The ignition barrel can fail so the key won't come out or the engine won't switch off. It's about £500 to fix.

  At the viewing: Turn the key through every position and take it out.

  Source: Auto Express: used Nissan Qashqai Mk1 review

• Worn rear shocks

  All engines

  Rattles from the rear suspension and worn rear shock absorbers are common.

  At the viewing: Listen over bumps and look for oily shock absorbers behind the rear wheels.

  If it needs doing: Shock absorbers (pair), about £200–£300. ClickMechanic

  Source: Auto Express: used Nissan Qashqai Mk1 review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Nissan Qashqai

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

1. Has all the recall work been done?
2. When was the cambelt changed?
3. Has the ignition barrel been replaced?
4. Have the rear shocks been replaced?
5. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 5.4× as often on the 2012 Nissan Qashqai as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.8× as often on the 2012 Nissan Qashqai as on other cars the same age.)