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Nissan Qashqai Mk3 (J12) (2021-present) reliability

At a glance

Nissan Qashqai Mk3 (J12) built around 2021: about average at the MOT

Nissan Qashqai Mk3 (J12) models built around 2021 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Nissan Qashqai Mk3 (J12) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

11% of MOT tests on Nissan Qashqai Mk3 (J12) models built around 2021 ended in a fail (retests included), against 11% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Nissan Qashqai Mk3 (J12) models built around 2021 involves the tyres.

Nissan Qashqai Mk3 (J12)
average reliability2021-presentSUVDIESEL / PETROL / HYBRID ELECTRIC

Based on 63,952 tests of Qashqai models registered 2021+.

About 1 in 7 petrol Qashqai cars registered in 2022 (13.9%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 1,177 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 75 Qashqai Mk3 (J12) MOTs (1.2%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2021 (4 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 21,123 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 25 Qashqai Mk3 (J12) MOTs (4%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2021 (4 years old).

Based on 21,123 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk3 (J12) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
42,8299.4%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
21,12311.4%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 4 years old.

How the Qashqai Mk3 (J12) compares

At each age below, see how the Qashqai Mk3 (J12) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 88,945 tests across 10 Nissan models, built around 2021 (4 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateNissan average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
42,8299.4%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
21,12311.4%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Qashqai Mk3 (J12).

  1. 1

    Lexus UX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.7%
    Dangerous
    1.8%

    Lower fail rate: 6.0%, against 11.4% for the Nissan Qashqai Mk3 (J12), both built around 2021.

    4,973 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  2. 2

    Toyota Yaris Cross

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.6%
    Dangerous
    1.2%

    Lower fail rate: 7.0%, against 11.4% for the Nissan Qashqai Mk3 (J12), both built around 2021.

    1,425 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  3. 3

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    5.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.5%
    Dangerous
    1.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 5.1%, against 11.4% for the Nissan Qashqai Mk3 (J12), both built around 2021.

    1,784 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  4. 4

    Ford Puma

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    2.6%

    Lower fail rate: 7.8%, against 11.4% for the Nissan Qashqai Mk3 (J12), both built around 2021.

    32,326 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Recall context

26 recalls in all

7 of the 26 Qashqai Mk3 (J12) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 7 recalls

Top concerns

  • Qashqai J12 lithium ion battery
  • Qashqai (J12) fuel pipe
  • Juke (F16) Qashqai (J12) and leaf (ZE1) VIN scan

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

What has gone wrong on Qashqai Mk3 (J12) cars built around 2021

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 1,201 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
1%
Emissions
1%

Wear items

Brakes
7%
Tyres
7%
Lighting
2%
Mk3 (J12) variants compared

Qashqai Mk3 (J12) variants built around 2021

The fail rate for each Qashqai Mk3 (J12) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • QASHQAI11.0%12,926 tests

Hybrid electric

  • QASHQAI ACENTA PREM DIG-T MHEV14.0%1,097 tests
  • QASHQAI PREMIERE ED DIG-T MHEV13.5%1,051 tests
  • QASHQAI ACENTA PREM T MHEV CVT13.3%951 tests
  • QASHQAI N-CONNECTA DIG-T MHEV11.7%892 tests
  • QASHQAI PREM ED DIG-T MHEV CVT11.4%824 tests
  • QASHQAI NCONNCTA DIGT MHEV CVT9.1%717 tests
  • QASHQAI TEKNA + DIG-T MHEV CVT12.9%604 tests
  • QASHQAI TEKNA DIG-T MHEV CVT9.2%595 tests
  • QASHQAI TEKNA DIG-T MHEV10.5%553 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Nissan Qashqais of this age

This list covers every Nissan Qashqai built around 2021, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk3 (J12) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    15.9%
    Advisory: 6,759Fail: 985 (13% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    14.5%
    Advisory: 7,318Fail: 427 (6% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    11.7%
    Advisory: 6,354Fail: 359 (5% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    5.8%
    Advisory: 2,926Fail: 31 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    3.6%
    Advisory: 989Fail: 576 (37% of the times it was found)

Based on 36,294 tests

Looking at a Nissan Qashqai Mk3 (J12) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2021 (4 years old), the Nissan Qashqai Mk3 (J12) (2021-present) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 21,123 4-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 63,952 MOT tests on Nissan Qashqais first registered from 2021. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.