2008 Nissan Qashqai — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 98,746 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Nissan Qashqai, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and steering. Its pass rate of 66.2% was below the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (73.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 36.1% in the 150k+ group versus 20.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.2% | 19,922 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.8% | 19,552 |
| 3 | Steering | 12.9% | 12,702 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.5% | 11,375 |
| 5 | Brakes | 8.7% | 8,589 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.2% | 5,160 |
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 | 15,626 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 12,053 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 11,889 |
| 4 | Joints | 10,331 |
| 5 | Suspension arm | 5,858 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 5,721 |
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 | 38.6% | 38,112 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.5% | 31,125 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.7% | 28,334 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.4% | 14,250 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.0% | 13,804 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 13,209 |
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 | 271 | 20.7% |
| 30-60k | 3,996 | 24.2% |
| 60-90k | 18,758 | 31.0% |
| 90-120k | 35,826 | 34.3% |
| 120-150k | 26,905 | 35.7% |
| 150k+ | 12,959 | 36.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 64,182 | 32.9% |
| Diesel | 34,558 | 35.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 22,982 | 33.4% |
| 2022 | 22,123 | 34.0% |
| 2023 | 20,327 | 34.0% |
| 2024 | 18,086 | 34.2% |
| 2025 | 15,228 | 33.6% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Qashqai
Before buying a 2008 Nissan Qashqai, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 20.2% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (20.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (19.8% 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 (12.9% 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 2008 Nissan Qashqais pass their MOT?
66.2% of the 98,746 2008 Nissan Qashqai MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Nissan Qashqai?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.2% of tests, followed by suspension (19.8%).
Does the 2008 Qashqai get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.7% in the 0-30k band to 36.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 98,746 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.