2021 Nissan Qashqai MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 87.8% of Nissan Qashqais first used in 2021 passed their MOT first time, against 87.2% for all cars first used in 2021. Across 62,237 Qashqai first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen), tyres and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Nissan Qashqais first used in 2021 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2021 Nissan Qashqai MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Qashqais first used in 2021 against all cars first used in 2021 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Qashqai figure was in line with the all-cars figure.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2021 Qashqai | All cars first used 2021 | Qashqai first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | fewer than 500 tests | 82.9% | 23 |
| 2022 | fewer than 500 tests | 89.9% | 23 |
| 2023 | 90.9% | 90.8% | 1,767 |
| 2024 | 89.9% | 87.6% | 30,931 |
| 2025 | 87.8% | 87.2% | 29,539 |
Common 2021 Nissan Qashqai MOT failures
Share of the 6,864 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 23.3% | 1,602 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 19.6% | 1,347 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 13.1% | 896 |
| Headlamp aim: too high | 10.4% | 712 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 7.9% | 545 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2021 Nissan Qashqai before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
Common 2021 Nissan Qashqai MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2021 Qashqais, as a share of all 62,237 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 10.6% | 6,592 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 9.9% | 6,183 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 5.8% | 3,601 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 3.6% | 2,213 |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | 3.1% | 1,935 |
Questions about the 2021 Nissan Qashqai MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2021 Nissan Qashqai?
In 2025, 87.8% of Qashqais first used in 2021 passed their MOT first time, against 87.2% for all cars first used in 2021. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2021 Qashqai most often fail its MOT on?
Visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (in 30.0% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), tyres (28.7%) and brakes (24.0%). The single most common item was “Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively” (23.3%).
How often does a 2021 Nissan Qashqai fail its MOT?
In 2025, 12.2% of first tests on Qashqais first used in 2021 did not pass first time: 9.0% failed, and a further 3.1% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 6,864 of 62,237 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2021 Nissan Qashqai MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 10.6% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (9.9%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (5.8%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (3.6%) and “Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt” (3.1%).
Is a 2021 Nissan Qashqai reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 90.9% in 2023 to 87.8% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2021
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2021 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2021 Ford Transit Custom MOT statistics · 2021 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2021 Tesla Model 3 MOT statistics · 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2021 Qashqai?
The numbers above cover every Qashqai first used in 2021 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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