2014 Nissan Qashqai petrol: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Ball joint dust cover5.5× usual
  Nissan Qashqai

  9.9% All 2014 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, 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.

• Brake pads1.7× usual
  Nissan Qashqai

  17% All 2014 cars

  10.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, 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.

• Track rod ends2.3× usual
  Nissan Qashqai

  8.8% All 2014 cars

  3.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
  Nissan Qashqai

  11.8% All 2014 cars

  7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, 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.

• Ball joint1.8× usual
  Nissan Qashqai

  6.5% All 2014 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, 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.

Common 2014 Nissan Qashqai petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  35% 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
  30% 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
  27% 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
  11% 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
  5% 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 2014 Nissan Qashqai petrol

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.

• Oil burning (1.2 DIG-T)

  1.2 DIG-T petrol

  Owners report heavy oil use and some piston failures on the 1.2 DIG-T petrol, sometimes needing a new engine.

  At the viewing: Check the oil level on the dipstick. A spare bottle of oil in the boot is a warning sign. Listen for a noisy timing chain.

  Source: Car Mechanics: buying a Nissan Qashqai J11

• 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

• 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 petrol

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

1. Does it use much oil between services?
2. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 5.5× as often on the 2014 Nissan Qashqai petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2014 Nissan Qashqai petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2014 Nissan Qashqai petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?