Nissan Qashqai – not a model student at the TÜV

Used car check
Nissan Qashqai – not a model student at the TÜV

The Qashqai is one of the most important models from the Japanese car manufacturer Nissan and is a bestseller. This can hardly be due to the TÜV record of the compact SUV. And not the breakdown statistics either.

The Nissan Qashqai is a popular car. It is a bestseller for the Japanese manufacturer and an important economic support. But as much as the compact SUV is in demand as a new car, you should keep an eye out when buying used. Because his performance in the general vehicle inspection (HU) is mixed. The “Auto Bild TÜV Report 2024” speaks of “ample potential for problems”, but this is lower with the second generation under consideration.

Model history

The second generation came out in 2014 and was on sale until 2021. The 2017 model update was thorough and, in addition to new design features at the front, also brought revised taillights and retuned chassis components.

Among other things, the cockpit was redesigned. The third edition has been in stores since summer 2021 and was relaunched in summer 2024.

Body and variants

In appearance, the Qashqai is a compact SUV; There are no variants in the body of the five-door car. The predecessor, the first generation, was still available as a seven-seater with an extended body.

Dimensions (according to ADAC) 2nd generation

• 4.38 to 4.39 meters x 1.81 meters x 1.59 to 1.60 meters (L x W x H)
• Trunk volume: 430 to 1585 liters

Strengthen

With the HU, the brake hoses and the parking brake perform above average, according to the “Auto Bild TÜV Report 2024”. The flashing system is also a bank. At least better than its predecessor: the axle suspensions and steering joints. The other chassis components “are okay,” writes the report.

Weaken

Right at the first inspection appointment, the Qashqai arrives more often than average with defects in the front lighting. At the second check, there are also worn brake discs with high complaint rates. Rust on the exhaust occurs too often over the years compared to average. The Qashqai also quite often fails the emissions test (AU).

Breakdown behavior

With a view to his breakdown statistics, the ADAC attests that the Japanese has “mostly medium reliability”. Deviants are copies from the first year of registration in 2019, which the club rates as “very unreliable”, and from 2021, which in turn occupy good places in the statistics.

The main breakdown areas are responsible for the poorer performance: In cars from 2014, the generators and the starter battery go on strike more often. The latter also repeatedly causes ADAC breakdowns during the first registration years 2015 and 2018 to 2020.

engines

• 2nd generation: Petrol engine (four-cylinder with front-wheel drive): 85 kW/115 HP to 120 kW/163 HP; Diesel (four-cylinder with front- and all-wheel drive): 81 kW/110 HP to 110 kW/150 kW
• 3rd generation: Petrol engine (four-cylinder with front and all-wheel drive): 103 kW/140 hp and 116 kW/158 hp; Hybrid (four-cylinder + electric motor, front-wheel drive): system output 140 kW/190 hp

Dealer sales value according to the Deutsche Automobil Treuhand (DAT) with statistically expected kilometers – three price examples

• Qashqai 1.6 dCi DPF Acenta 4×2 (6/2018); 96 kW/131 hp (four-cylinder); 107,000 kilometers; 11,493 euros
• Qashqai 1.7 dCi N-Connecta 4×4 (6/2020); 110 kW/150 HP (four-cylinder; Euro 6d-Temp); 75,000 kilometers; 17,572 euros.
• Qashqai 1.2 DIG-T 360 4×2 (6/2015); 85 kW/116 HP (four-cylinder); 123,000 kilometers; 8509 euros