Comparison · family SUVs

Nissan Qashqai vs Toyota RAV4: which is more reliable?

The Toyota RAV4 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 693,735 real MOT tests in 2024.

Nissan Qashqai

92Below average
MOT tests565,960

Toyota RAV4

108Well above average
MOT tests127,775

By age

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

Age at testNissan QashqaiToyota RAV4
3–5 years
102Above average
106Above average
6–9 years
99About average
107Above average
10–14 years
83Well below average
115Well above average
15+ years
75Well below average
107Above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearNissan QashqaiToyota RAV4
202189.9%92.1%
202089.7%91.3%
201985.7%90.9%
201882.3%85.8%
201779.6%84.3%
201675.7%84.3%
201572.0%81.4%
201467.5%79.6%
201355.1%78.3%
201250.8%74.9%
201148.7%69.7%
201045.6%68.8%
200942.2%65.8%
200843.4%61.3%
200744.1%59.5%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaNissan QashqaiToyota RAV4
Suspension16.79.6
Lights & electrics13.511.0
Brakes11.08.5
Tyres6.44.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.24.4
Body & chassis4.63.3
Steering6.40.5
Emissions & leaks2.93.8

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%

Toyota RAV4: top failures

  1. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.2%
  2. Position lamp: not working2.1%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.5%
  4. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.1%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.0%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.0%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Nissan Qashqai or the Toyota RAV4?

The Toyota RAV4 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 Toyota RAV4 can be compared?

Both were tested for 15 registration years (2007–2021). The Nissan Qashqai had the higher pass rate in 0 of them and the Toyota RAV4 in 15.

What fails most on each?

Nissan Qashqai: track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. Toyota RAV4: wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; position lamp: not working.