2020 Nissan Qashqai — MOT failures & pass rate
108,556 MOT tests on the 2020 Nissan Qashqai are in this dataset, and 92.6% of them passed. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (8.8% fail rate), the 2020 Qashqai comes out 1.3pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.1%) and visibility (2.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, brake pads and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 2,934 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.0% in the 0-30k band and 12.5% in the 150k+ band, a 7.5-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 7.2% fail against 9.4% for diesel, a 2.2-point gap across 108,551 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.1% | 3,390 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.7% | 2,964 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.4% | 2,610 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 2,114 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.7% | 709 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 329 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 2,934 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 2,570 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,849 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 1,266 |
| 5 | Washers | 815 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 312 |
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 | 20.0% | 21,671 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.8% | 17,181 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.0% | 7,556 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.0% | 3,295 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.7% | 2,923 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.8% | 846 |
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 | 60,017 | 5.0% |
| 30-60k | 43,024 | 10.0% |
| 60-90k | 5,049 | 13.7% |
| 90-120k | 381 | 17.8% |
| 120-150k | 50 | 8.0% |
| 150k+ | 32 | 12.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 98,414 | 7.2% |
| Diesel | 10,137 | 9.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 55 | 9.1% |
| 2022 | 1,980 | 3.8% |
| 2023 | 35,862 | 6.1% |
| 2024 | 34,939 | 7.1% |
| 2025 | 35,720 | 9.3% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Qashqai
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 3.1% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (3.1% 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.
- Visibility (2.7% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Brakes (2.4% 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 2020 Nissan Qashqais pass their MOT?
92.6% of the 108,556 2020 Nissan Qashqai MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Nissan Qashqai?
Tyres, recorded in 3.1% of tests, followed by visibility (2.7%).
Does the 2020 Qashqai get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.0% in the 0-30k band to 12.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 108,556 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.