Comparison · family SUVs

Nissan Qashqai vs Ford Kuga: which is more reliable?

The Ford Kuga does better at the MOT, with a score of 103 against 92 for the Nissan Qashqai, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 851,733 real MOT tests in 2024.

Nissan Qashqai

92Below average
MOT tests565,960

Ford Kuga

103Above average
MOT tests285,773

By age

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

Age at testNissan QashqaiFord Kuga
3–5 years
102Above average
102About average
6–9 years
99About average
104Above average
10–14 years
83Well below average
103Above average
15+ years
75Well below average
102Above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearNissan QashqaiFord Kuga
202189.9%90.3%
202089.7%89.7%
201985.7%85.3%
201882.3%84.6%
201779.6%83.9%
201675.7%80.2%
201572.0%76.7%
201467.5%73.2%
201355.1%71.8%
201250.8%64.1%
201148.7%61.4%
201045.6%59.2%
200942.2%59.7%
200843.4%58.7%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaNissan QashqaiFord Kuga
Lights & electrics13.59.3
Suspension16.73.2
Brakes11.06.2
Tyres6.46.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.24.2
Steering6.40.9
Body & chassis4.61.7
Emissions & leaks2.92.0

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%

Ford Kuga: top failures

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.7%
  2. Position lamp: not working2.7%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.2%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.5%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.1%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.1%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Nissan Qashqai or the Ford Kuga?

The Ford Kuga does better at the MOT, with a score of 103 against 92 for the Nissan Qashqai, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Nissan Qashqai and Ford Kuga can be compared?

Both were tested for 14 registration years (2008–2021). The Nissan Qashqai had the higher pass rate in 1 of them and the Ford Kuga in 13.

What fails most on each?

Nissan Qashqai: track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. Ford Kuga: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; position lamp: not working.