2013 Nissan Qashqai — MOT failures & pass rate
298,928 MOT tests on the 2013 Nissan Qashqai are in this dataset, and 74.6% of them passed. That is 5.1 percentage points worse than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 20.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.3%) and suspension (11.8%) 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 26,235 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 10.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 32.9% once past 150k — 3.2× the risk.
The petrol cars hold up better: 22.4% fail against 27.8% for diesel, a 5.4-point gap across 298,923 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 28.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 20.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 36,900 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.8% | 35,366 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.7% | 22,976 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.1% | 21,316 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.4% | 13,266 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.3% | 12,826 |
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 | 26,235 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 21,288 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 18,695 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 12,651 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 12,165 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 12,157 |
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 | 28.5% | 85,210 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.0% | 80,763 |
| 3 | Brakes | 26.2% | 78,203 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.8% | 38,420 |
| 5 | Steering | 11.4% | 34,139 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.7% | 23,074 |
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 | 4,749 | 10.3% |
| 30-60k | 61,140 | 16.9% |
| 60-90k | 121,552 | 25.1% |
| 90-120k | 79,011 | 30.5% |
| 120-150k | 25,485 | 32.4% |
| 150k+ | 6,967 | 32.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 167,428 | 27.8% |
| Petrol | 131,495 | 22.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 57,116 | 20.3% |
| 2022 | 58,947 | 23.0% |
| 2023 | 60,499 | 25.7% |
| 2024 | 61,615 | 28.2% |
| 2025 | 60,751 | 29.3% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Qashqai
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.8% 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.
- Brakes (7.7% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2013 Nissan Qashqais pass their MOT?
74.6% of the 298,928 2013 Nissan Qashqai MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Nissan Qashqai?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.3% of tests, followed by suspension (11.8%).
Does the 2013 Qashqai get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.3% in the 0-30k band to 32.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 298,928 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.