2021 Nissan Qashqai — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 65,854 MOT tests, the 2021 Nissan Qashqai recorded a 92.6% pass rate. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 8.1%, so the 2021 Qashqai sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in visibility, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (3.1%) and tyres (3.0%) 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 2,024 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 13.6% versus 5.3%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 7.3% of the time against 7.4% for hybrid.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 18.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 5.7% of tests failed in 2023 against 8.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 3.1% | 2,026 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.0% | 1,946 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.5% | 1,637 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 1,356 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 239 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.3% | 183 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 2,024 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 1,687 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,452 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 732 |
| 5 | Washers | 473 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 191 |
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 | 18.9% | 12,449 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.5% | 8,910 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.6% | 4,331 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.2% | 2,130 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.4% | 934 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.5% | 359 |
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 | 40,235 | 5.3% |
| 30-60k | 23,919 | 10.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,579 | 12.9% |
| 90-120k | 103 | 13.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 37,362 | 7.3% |
| Hybrid | 28,230 | 7.4% |
| Diesel | 256 | 8.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,858 | 5.7% |
| 2024 | 32,107 | 6.5% |
| 2025 | 31,834 | 8.3% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Qashqai
On a 2021 Qashqai, visibility is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Visibility (3.1% 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.
- Tyres (3.0% 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.
- Brakes (2.5% 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 2021 Nissan Qashqais pass their MOT?
92.6% of the 65,854 2021 Nissan Qashqai MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Nissan Qashqai?
Visibility, recorded in 3.1% of tests, followed by tyres (3.0%).
Does the 2021 Qashqai get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.3% in the 0-30k band to 13.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 65,854 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.