2009 Nissan Qashqai — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 165,623 MOT tests analysed for the 2009 Nissan Qashqai, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and steering. Its pass rate of 66.3% was below the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (73.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 35.8% in the 150k+ group versus 17.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.6% | 34,104 |
| 2 | Suspension | 20.5% | 33,916 |
| 3 | Steering | 12.6% | 20,809 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.9% | 18,120 |
| 5 | Brakes | 9.0% | 14,988 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.2% | 8,665 |
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 | 25,433 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 20,180 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 19,647 |
| 4 | Joints | 17,327 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 11,666 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 9,204 |
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 | 39.0% | 64,627 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.2% | 51,635 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.3% | 46,930 |
| 4 | Other defects | 13.9% | 22,949 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.4% | 22,182 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 21,619 |
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 | 575 | 17.9% |
| 30-60k | 7,452 | 22.8% |
| 60-90k | 35,538 | 31.0% |
| 90-120k | 61,989 | 34.7% |
| 120-150k | 42,374 | 35.9% |
| 150k+ | 17,648 | 35.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 89,035 | 32.4% |
| Diesel | 76,586 | 35.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 36,631 | 32.5% |
| 2022 | 36,236 | 33.8% |
| 2023 | 34,322 | 34.1% |
| 2024 | 31,429 | 34.7% |
| 2025 | 27,005 | 33.8% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Qashqai
Before buying a 2009 Nissan Qashqai, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 20.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (20.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (20.5% 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.
- Steering (12.6% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
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 2009 Nissan Qashqais pass their MOT?
66.3% of the 165,623 2009 Nissan Qashqai MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Nissan Qashqai?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.6% of tests, followed by suspension (20.5%).
Does the 2009 Qashqai get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.9% in the 0-30k band to 35.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 165,623 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.