2014 Nissan Qashqai diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2014 Nissan Qashqai diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2014 Nissan Qashqai diesel than on all cars registered in 2014.

• Brake pads1.9× usual
  Nissan Qashqai

  18.8% All 2014 cars

  10.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 2.3% of all 2014 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.

• Ball joint dust cover5.7× usual
  Nissan Qashqai

  10.2% All 2014 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.7% of all 2014 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.

• Track rod ends2.9× usual
  Nissan Qashqai

  11.3% All 2014 cars

  3.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2% of all 2014 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.

• Ball joint3.1× usual
  Nissan Qashqai

  11% All 2014 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 2% of all 2014 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 joints1.8× usual
  Nissan Qashqai

  12.6% All 2014 cars

  7.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 1.5% of all 2014 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.

Common 2014 Nissan Qashqai diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2014 Nissan Qashqai diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  44% 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.

• Tyres
  34% 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
  30% 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
  14% 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
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  4% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2014 Nissan Qashqai diesel

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.

• CVT automatic judder

  CVT automatic only

  The CVT automatic on earlier cars can judder at low speed and overheat on long climbs. Replacement is expensive.

  At the viewing: If it’s an automatic, test for judder at low speed and look for a gearbox temperature warning.

  Source: Car Mechanics: buying a Nissan Qashqai J11

• Turbo and particulate filter (1.5 dCi)

  1.5 dCi diesel

  The 1.5 dCi diesel’s turbo can fail early, and town-driven cars can block the EGR valve and particulate filter.

  At the viewing: Listen for a whistle and loss of power, and watch for DPF or EGR warning lights.

  If it needs doing: DPF clean or regeneration, about £160–£500. ClickMechanic

  Source: Car Mechanics: buying a Nissan Qashqai J11

• Rear springs breaking

  Rear springs commonly snap. The first sign is a knock from the back over bumps.

  At the viewing: Listen for a knock from the rear on bumpy roads.

  Source: Car Mechanics: buying a Nissan Qashqai J11

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2014 Nissan Qashqai diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2014 Nissan Qashqai diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 5.7× as often on the 2014 Nissan Qashqai diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2014 Nissan Qashqai diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?