2014 Nissan Qashqai — MOT failures & pass rate
275,772 MOT tests on the 2014 Nissan Qashqai are in this dataset, and 80.0% of them passed. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (18.1% fail rate), the 2014 Qashqai comes out 1.9pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 10.6% of all tests — 5.6 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, brake pads and ball joint — coil spring alone was recorded 12,082 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 9.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 27.6% once past 150k — 2.8× the risk.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.7pp more often than petrol ones (21.2% vs 17.5%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 27.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 15.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.6% | 29,352 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.0% | 13,814 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.0% | 13,817 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.2% | 11,493 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.0% | 10,893 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 5,732 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 12,082 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 11,739 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 11,523 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 9,242 |
| 5 | Washers | 7,212 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 6,294 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 27.7% | 76,488 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.0% | 68,852 |
| 3 | Suspension | 22.5% | 62,076 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.6% | 31,957 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.0% | 16,491 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 12,569 |
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 | 7,187 | 9.9% |
| 30-60k | 75,374 | 15.1% |
| 60-90k | 113,964 | 20.2% |
| 90-120k | 57,838 | 24.4% |
| 120-150k | 16,493 | 26.9% |
| 150k+ | 4,849 | 27.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 183,720 | 21.2% |
| Petrol | 92,052 | 17.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 52,925 | 15.2% |
| 2022 | 54,188 | 17.5% |
| 2023 | 55,795 | 20.1% |
| 2024 | 56,363 | 22.4% |
| 2025 | 56,501 | 24.1% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Qashqai
On a 2014 Qashqai, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (10.6% 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.
- Brakes (5.0% 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.
- Tyres (5.0% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2014 Nissan Qashqais pass their MOT?
80.0% of the 275,772 2014 Nissan Qashqai MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Nissan Qashqai?
Suspension, recorded in 10.6% of tests, followed by brakes (5.0%).
Does the 2014 Qashqai get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.9% in the 0-30k band to 27.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 275,772 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.