2011 Nissan Qashqai — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 230,063 MOT tests analysed for the 2011 Nissan Qashqai, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 70.1% was below the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (76.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 34.5% in the 150k+ group versus 14.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.0% | 39,000 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 31,416 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.4% | 21,545 |
| 4 | Steering | 8.8% | 20,158 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.5% | 14,896 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.8% | 11,059 |
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 | 24,665 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 23,333 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 18,504 |
| 4 | Joints | 14,850 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 12,936 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 11,264 |
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 | 34.9% | 80,262 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.5% | 65,588 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.2% | 65,003 |
| 4 | Other defects | 13.6% | 31,386 |
| 5 | Steering | 11.8% | 27,268 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.9% | 20,545 |
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 | 1,058 | 14.3% |
| 30-60k | 19,423 | 19.7% |
| 60-90k | 73,429 | 27.3% |
| 90-120k | 84,152 | 32.1% |
| 120-150k | 38,995 | 33.9% |
| 150k+ | 12,962 | 34.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 136,683 | 31.8% |
| Petrol | 93,366 | 27.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 46,378 | 26.7% |
| 2022 | 47,024 | 28.4% |
| 2023 | 47,316 | 30.2% |
| 2024 | 46,166 | 32.0% |
| 2025 | 43,179 | 32.2% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Qashqai
Before buying a 2011 Nissan Qashqai, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 17.0% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (17.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (13.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.4% 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 2011 Nissan Qashqais pass their MOT?
70.1% of the 230,063 2011 Nissan Qashqai MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Nissan Qashqai?
Suspension, recorded in 17.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.7%).
Does the 2011 Qashqai get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.3% in the 0-30k band to 34.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 230,063 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.