Comparison · family SUVs

Nissan Qashqai vs BMW X1: which is more reliable?

The BMW X1 does better at the MOT, with a score of 108 against 92 for the Nissan Qashqai, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 665,023 real MOT tests in 2024.

Nissan Qashqai

92Below average
MOT tests565,960

BMW X1

108Above average
MOT tests99,063

By age

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

Age at testNissan QashqaiBMW X1
3–5 years
102Above average
104Above average
6–9 years
99About average
108Well above average
10–14 years
83Well below average
111Well above average
15+ years
75Well below average
–

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearNissan QashqaiBMW X1
202189.9%89.1%
202089.7%90.7%
201985.7%89.7%
201882.3%87.0%
201779.6%86.0%
201675.7%85.7%
201572.0%79.8%
201467.5%73.5%
201355.1%74.0%
201250.8%69.7%
201148.7%70.5%
201045.6%69.6%
200942.2%68.6%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaNissan QashqaiBMW X1
Suspension16.74.0
Lights & electrics13.55.1
Brakes11.03.8
Tyres6.47.0
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.22.8
Steering6.40.2
Body & chassis4.60.9
Emissions & leaks2.91.0

Nissan Qashqai: top failures

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

BMW X1: top failures

  1. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.2%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.9%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.7%
  4. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.4%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.1%
  6. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.8%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Nissan Qashqai or the BMW X1?

The BMW X1 does better at the MOT, with a score of 108 against 92 for the Nissan Qashqai, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Nissan Qashqai and BMW X1 can be compared?

Both were tested for 13 registration years (2009–2021). The Nissan Qashqai had the higher pass rate in 1 of them and the BMW X1 in 12.

What fails most on each?

Nissan Qashqai: track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. BMW X1: tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn.