Comparison · family SUVs

Nissan Qashqai vs Audi Q3: which is more reliable?

The Audi Q3 does better at the MOT, with a score of 107 against 92 for the Nissan Qashqai, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 694,343 real MOT tests in 2024.

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at test	Nissan Qashqai	Audi Q3
3–5 years	102Above average	106Above average
6–9 years	99About average	107Above average
10–14 years	83Well below average	110Well above average
15+ years	75Well below average	–

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Year	Nissan Qashqai	Audi Q3
2021	89.9%	91.0%
2020	89.7%	92.4%
2019	85.7%	90.5%
2018	82.3%	87.4%
2017	79.6%	85.5%
2016	75.7%	82.2%
2015	72.0%	78.8%
2014	67.5%	76.0%
2013	55.1%	73.6%
2012	50.8%	71.4%
2011	48.7%	70.9%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

Area	Nissan Qashqai	Audi Q3
Suspension	16.7	6.3
Lights & electrics	13.5	3.3
Brakes	11.0	3.5
Tyres	6.4	6.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)	5.2	2.3
Steering	6.4	0.2
Body & chassis	4.6	0.7
Emissions & leaks	2.9	1.8

Nissan Qashqai: top failures

Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.8%
Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.4%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.9%
Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.1%
Position lamp: not working2.8%
Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%

Audi Q3: top failures

Coil spring: fractured or broken3.1%
Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.5%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.0%
Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed0.9%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Nissan Qashqai or the Audi Q3?

The Audi Q3 does better at the MOT, with a score of 107 against 92 for the Nissan Qashqai, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Nissan Qashqai and Audi Q3 can be compared?

Both were tested for 11 registration years (2011–2021). The Nissan Qashqai had the higher pass rate in 0 of them and the Audi Q3 in 11.

What fails most on each?

Nissan Qashqai: track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. Audi Q3: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.