Are Nissans Reliable? UK MOT Data for Every Model
Nissan is one of the most popular car brands in the UK, with the Qashqai consistently in the top 10 best sellers. But are Nissans reliable? We analysed every Nissan model in our database using real MOT failure data.
Overall Nissan brand average: 0.88 — this is about average for the UK market.
Nissan Reliability by Model
| Rank | Model | Years | Reliability | Critical Faults | Service Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LEAF Mk1 | 2011-2017 | 0.92 | 1 | £150/yr | Simulate |
| 2 | NOTE E12 | 2012-2020 | 0.92 | 1 | £220/yr | Simulate |
| 3 | Micra K13 | 2010-2017 | 0.90 | 1 | £210/yr | Simulate |
| 4 | JUKE Mk1 | 2010-2019 | 0.87 | 0 | £270/yr | Simulate |
| 5 | Qashqai J10 | 2006-2013 | 0.85 | 1 | £280/yr | Simulate |
| 6 | Qashqai J11 | 2013-2021 | 0.85 | 1 | £300/yr | Simulate |
| 7 | X-Trail T32 | 2014-2021 | 0.85 | 1 | £300/yr | Simulate |
The Good: Where Nissan Excels
Nissan's simpler models are genuinely reliable:
- Micra — basic, proven, cheap to fix. The K13 and K14 are solid budget choices.
- Note — practical and underrated. Minimal failure modes.
- LEAF — the electric Mk1 has fewer mechanical failure points than any petrol Nissan, though battery degradation is the big unknown.
The Bad: Nissan's Weak Spots
CVT Gearbox
The single biggest issue across the Nissan range. The Qashqai, Juke, X-Trail, and Note all use Jatco CVT transmissions that can fail around 70,000 miles. Replacement costs £1,200-£3,000 depending on model. If buying any automatic Nissan, this is the first thing to check.
Renault-Sourced Diesels
Nissan's diesel engines (1.5 dCi, 2.0 dCi) are built by Renault. They're decent engines but suffer from:
- DPF blockage on short-journey cars (£400-£1,200 to replace)
- Turbo failure around 80,000 miles (£800-£1,400)
- Injector wear at higher mileages
Turbo Problems
The DIG-T turbocharged petrol engines (1.2 DIG-T, 1.6 DIG-T) in the Juke and Qashqai can suffer turbo failure. The turbo is a known weak point on these engines.
Nissan vs The Competition
How does Nissan compare to rival brands?
- vs Toyota — Toyota wins on reliability across the board. The Yaris and Corolla are more reliable than the Micra and Qashqai. But Toyotas cost more to buy.
- vs Suzuki — Suzuki's Swift is more reliable than comparable Nissans, with simpler engineering and fewer failure modes.
- vs Hyundai/Kia — similar reliability to Nissan, but with a 7-year warranty advantage.
- vs Volkswagen — Nissan is generally more reliable than VW, with cheaper repairs when things do go wrong. The Qashqai is a safer buy than the Tiguan.
Which Nissan Should You Buy?
Best reliability: Micra K14 (2017+) or LEAF Mk1 — fewest failure modes Best value: Qashqai J11 manual petrol (2017-2021) — practical, reliable, and well-priced Avoid: Any pre-2017 Nissan with a CVT automatic — the gearbox risk is too high
Browse all Nissan models | Run a Nissan simulation
See also: Nissan Qashqai Buyers Guide | Japanese vs German Reliability | Most Reliable Car Brands