Nissan

Nissan Qashqai (2009)

28,744 real MOT outcomes analysed • 70.3% first-time pass rate

2009 Nissan Qashqai

CarHunch analysed 28,744 real MOT records for the 2009 Nissan Qashqai. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2009 Qashqai's 70.3% first-time pass rate sits well below the UK average of 80%, signalling this generation struggles with reliability as it ages. More concerning, nearly 60% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a serious red flag for prospective buyers.

At an average mileage of around 80,000 km for a 15-year-old car, these Qashqais have been driven moderately, yet they're accumulating an average of 5.6 failures and 30.8 advisories per test—suggesting systemic wear patterns rather than isolated problems. Before committing to one, budget for immediate repairs and request a full service history; the combination of high dangerous defect prevalence and below-average pass rates makes thorough pre-purchase inspection non-negotiable.

The 2009 Nissan Qashqai has a below-average first-time pass rate (70.3% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.
First-time pass
70.3%
UK average ~80%
Below average
Dangerous (ever)
59.6%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
5.62
Over 18.1 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
74k
Middle half: 60k–89k
For context
⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.
🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 30.8 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.
🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 28,744 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 28,744 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 103.1%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Tyre wear 66.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Other issues 52.4%
Oil leak, but not excessive · Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened · Nearside Front Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
Suspension & steering 33.5%
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play
Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.
Lighting 32.4%
Nearside Front Position lamp not working
Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 28,744 Nissan Qashqai cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2009 Nissan Qashqai

Based on MOT data from 28,744 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 59.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
    Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
  • 🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection ClickMechanic
  • 📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (50%) 14,372 70.7% 5.69
Diesel (50%) 14,370 69.9% 5.55

Colour Breakdown

Based on 602,083 Nissan Qashqai vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 28.6%
172,196
Grey 18.6%
112,200
White 13.8%
82,845
Blue 13.2%
79,581
Red 11.5%
69,496
Silver 10%
60,118
Beige 2.5%
15,246
Orange 0.8%
4,711
Bronze 0.7%
4,270
Gold 0.1%
633
Purple 0.1%
519
Brown 0%
268

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Nissan Qashqai vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

73,974
typical
59,605
low mileage
88,767
high mileage

Half of all 2009 Nissan Qashqai vehicles fall between 59,605 and 88,767 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 59,605 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
59,605–88,767 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Nissan Qashqais sit.
Over 119,835 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 Nissan Qashqai — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 67% of 2009 Nissan Qashqais are still active.

18,215 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 67% of the peak remain.

27,034 18,215 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

18.1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
5.62
Avg failures per vehicle
30.8
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Nissan Qashqai: All Qashqai years → Which year to buy? →
2007 2008 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

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Compare with another model

See how the 2009 Nissan Qashqai stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on