2007 Nissan Qashqai — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 74,625 MOT tests, the 2007 Nissan Qashqai recorded a 66.6% pass rate. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (27.4% fail rate), the 2007 Qashqai comes out 6.0pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and steering.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (21.1%) and suspension (19.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, ball joint and position lamp — track rod end alone was recorded 11,760 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.6% in the 0-30k band and 35.4% in the 150k+ band, a 19.8-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.9pp more often than petrol ones (34.7% vs 32.8%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 40.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 33.8% in 2021 to 32.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.1% | 15,747 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.6% | 14,623 |
| 3 | Steering | 13.0% | 9,667 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.3% | 7,676 |
| 5 | Brakes | 9.0% | 6,725 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.5% | 4,109 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 11,760 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 8,717 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 8,279 |
| 4 | Joints | 6,305 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 4,397 |
| 6 | Suspension arm | 4,376 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 40.1% | 29,920 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.0% | 23,142 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.0% | 21,652 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 11,671 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.5% | 10,830 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.7% | 10,226 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 218 | 15.6% |
| 30-60k | 2,350 | 22.3% |
| 60-90k | 12,397 | 30.5% |
| 90-120k | 27,496 | 33.8% |
| 120-150k | 22,098 | 34.9% |
| 150k+ | 10,020 | 35.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 52,537 | 32.8% |
| Diesel | 22,082 | 34.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 18,763 | 33.8% |
| 2022 | 17,231 | 33.5% |
| 2023 | 15,281 | 33.3% |
| 2024 | 13,062 | 33.5% |
| 2025 | 10,288 | 32.2% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Qashqai
On a 2007 Qashqai, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (21.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (19.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Steering (13.0% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2007 Nissan Qashqais pass their MOT?
66.6% of the 74,625 2007 Nissan Qashqai MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Nissan Qashqai?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.1% of tests, followed by suspension (19.6%).
Does the 2007 Qashqai get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.6% in the 0-30k band to 35.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 74,625 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.