Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Harvey Bold, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Harvey Bold, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Well-protected compact SUV (5 Euro NCAP stars in 2014), but choose it engine by engine: the 1.2 DIG-T is known for oil consumption and its timing chain, and the Xtronic gearbox for jerking. The 1.3 DIG-T introduced in 2018, with a documented service history, is the most reassuring choice according to Car Verif.
- Reliability
- 3.0/5
- Indicative prices
- €9,000 – €18,490
- Monthly cost
- €407
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 1.3 DIG-T 140, 1.3 DIG-T 160 DCT.
1.2 DIG-T 115
Petrol · Manual · 115 hp · Crit'Air 1
1.2 turbo with direct injection (2014-2018), also offered with the Xtronic gearbox. The engine most exposed to oil consumption and timing chain problems.
Engine: Renault-Nissan 1.2 TCe / DIG-T (H5Ft, HRA2DDT)
Verdict on this engine: Buy with care
1.2 DIG-T 115 Xtronic
Petrol · Automatic · 115 hp · Crit'Air 1
The same 1.2 DIG-T paired with the Xtronic continuously variable gearbox; check the gearbox oil change history.
Engine: Renault-Nissan 1.2 TCe / DIG-T (H5Ft, HRA2DDT)
Verdict on this engine: Buy with care
1.3 DIG-T 140
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 140 hp · 6.3 L/100 km · 143 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
1.3 turbo (1,332 cm³, 240 Nm) launched in 2018 to replace the 1.2 and 1.6 DIG-T, six-speed manual gearbox.
Engine: Renault-Nissan-Mercedes 1.3 TCe / DIG-T (H5Ht, HR13DDT, M282)
Verdict on this engine: Good choice
1.3 DIG-T 160 DCT
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Automatic · 160 hp · Crit'Air 1
160 hp 1.3 DIG-T with 270 Nm and a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DCT), offered from late 2018 only with this power output.
Engine: Renault-Nissan-Mercedes 1.3 TCe / DIG-T (H5Ht, HR13DDT, M282)
Verdict on this engine: Good choice
1.5 dCi 110
Diesel · Manual · 110 hp · Crit'Air 2
1.5 dCi diesel (1,461 cm³), six-speed manual gearbox, front-wheel drive.
Engine: Renault 1.5 dCi / Blue dCi (K9K)
Verdict on this engine: Buy with care
1.5 dCi 115 DCT
Diesel · Automatic · 115 hp · Crit'Air 2
115 hp development of the 1.5 dCi with DCT dual-clutch gearbox, sold from 2019 to 2020.
Engine: Renault 1.5 dCi / Blue dCi (K9K)
Verdict on this engine: Buy with care
1.6 dCi 130 Xtronic
Diesel · Automatic · 130 hp · 4.7 L/100 km · 122 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 2
1.6 dCi diesel with 320 Nm and Xtronic gearbox (4.7 l/100 km and 122 g/km claimed in 2016). Withdrawn from the range in 2018.
Engine: Renault-Nissan 1.6 dCi (R9M)
Verdict on this engine: Good choice, check first
1.6 dCi 130 4x4
Diesel · Manual · 130 hp · Crit'Air 2
The same 1.6 dCi with four-wheel drive: it was the only 4x4 version in the range.
Engine: Renault-Nissan 1.6 dCi (R9M)
Verdict on this engine: Good choice, check first
Market prices
€9,000 – €18,490
Indicative range: 2014 to 2021, yearly medians of 185 online listings collected by AutoUncle (years with at least 3 listings).
Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
1.2 DIG-T: excessive oil consumption and broken pistons
Severity 3/3 · SeriousOwner forums are full of cases of high oil consumption and damaged pistons on the 1.2 DIG-T, going as far as engine replacement (sometimes under warranty). A written question to the National Assembly mentions these failures on Renault and Nissan 1.2 engines built from 2012 to 2018; Nissan replied with an engine control unit reprogramming and case-by-case assistance. Car Mechanics advises being wary of an oil can in the boot.
- Versions
- 1.2 DIG-T 115, 1.2 DIG-T 115 Xtronic
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
1.2 DIG-T: noisy timing chain
Severity 2/3 · CostlyThe timing chain of the 1.2 DIG-T can become noisy, especially on cold starts. Car Mechanics reports cases of wear before the planned replacement interval, which has led owners to change it earlier; Wheelstreet links this fault to pre-2018 models.
- Versions
- 1.2 DIG-T 115, 1.2 DIG-T 115 Xtronic
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Xtronic (CVT) gearbox: jerking and overheating
Severity 2/3 · CostlyThe Xtronic continuously variable gearbox has a poor reputation: jerking at low speed and a gearbox temperature warning on long climbs. According to Car Mechanics, most problems come from low or worn oil, made worse by marginal cooling and a small quantity of oil. Wheelstreet reports slipping, shuddering or noises after 120,000 to 160,000 km.
- Versions
- 1.2 DIG-T 115 Xtronic, 1.6 dCi 130 Xtronic
- Onset
- between 120,000 km and 160,000 km
- Repair
- not documented
1.6 dCi: clogged EGR valve
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingGoodmecano reports EGR valve clogging as a known problem on the J10 and J11 Qashqai, with replacement common on the 1.6 dCi after 100,000 to 150,000 km; the typical symptom is a limp mode with an engine warning light and loss of power. Owners of a 1.6 dCi 130 J11 report a failed EGR valve or EGR cooler.
- Versions
- 1.6 dCi 130 Xtronic, 1.6 dCi 130 4x4
- Onset
- between 100,000 km and 150,000 km
- Repair
- not documented
Automatic emergency braking that activates for no reason
Manufacturer recallThe intelligent emergency braking can activate unnecessarily, for example under a metal structure (level crossing, hanging sign), with a collision warning followed by sudden braking. Nissan recalled Qashqais built between 8 November 2016 and 5 June 2019 for a free software update; random activations are also reported by owners of earlier models.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- 1.2 DIG-T 115, 1.2 DIG-T 115 Xtronic, 1.3 DIG-T 140, 1.3 DIG-T 160 DCT, 1.5 dCi 110, 1.5 dCi 115 DCT, 1.6 dCi 130 Xtronic, 1.6 dCi 130 4x4
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Nissan Qashqai”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €155 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €72 |
| Maintenance | €38 |
| Depreciation | €142 |
| Total per month | €407 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Maintenance: budget of a closely related model.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€155
1.3 DIG-T 140 version: combined consumption of 6.3 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
6.3 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €155
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€72
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€38
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€142
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Nissan Qashqai II — inspection checklist
Things to check
- 1.2 DIG-T: check the oil level, the absence of blue smoke and of an oil can in the boot, and ask for the oil change invoices.
- Start the engine when cold and listen for any rattling from the timing chain (1.2 DIG-T).
- Xtronic gearbox: ask for the gearbox oil change invoices and check there is no low-speed jerking during the test drive.
- 1.6 dCi: have the fault codes read and check there is no limp mode or loss of power (EGR valve).
- Have Nissan check with the serial number that the emergency braking update and the other recalls have been carried out.
Questions to ask the seller
- How much oil does the car use between oil changes, and has the engine been reprogrammed or repaired at Nissan?
- Have the timing chain, the EGR valve or the gearbox already been replaced? Do you have the invoices?
- Has the emergency braking ever activated for no reason, and has the recall update been carried out?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Peugeot 3008
II · 2016–2023
- Price
- €7,980 – €17,294
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Renault Austral
I · since 2022
- Price
- €25,300 – €31,500
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Hybrid
Photo: (G)jabz, CC BY 4.0
Dacia Duster
II · 2018–2024
- Price
- €11,700 – €20,500
- Reliability
- not rated
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Renault Captur
II · since 2019
- Price
- €11,495 – €17,990
- Reliability
- 5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Hybrid
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Nissan Qashqai II (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nissan Qashqai II reliable?
It depends on the engine: Car Verif gives it a 'GO with conditions' and advises deciding engine by engine. The 1.2 DIG-T is known for oil consumption and its timing chain, and the Xtronic gearbox for jerking; Car Mechanics nevertheless considers it a good used buy if you choose your car carefully.
Which engine should I choose on a used J11 Qashqai?
Car Verif presents the 1.3 DIG-T (140 or 160 hp, from 2018) as the most reassuring choice, and advises against a 1.2 DIG-T without a documented service history.
What is the boot capacity of the Qashqai II?
430 litres (VDA standard), slightly more than the first generation.
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