Which model group has the lower recorded MOT failure rate: Ford Kuga or Nissan Qashqai?

Across 3,460,331 recorded MOT tests, the Ford Kuga group has a 9.1 percentage point lower historical failure rate. The Ford Kuga group rate is 18.7% and the Nissan Qashqai group rate is 27.7%. These population statistics do not predict an individual vehicle's result.

What are the main MOT differences between Ford Kuga and Nissan Qashqai?

The Ford Kuga has a 18.7% overall MOT failure rate (1,161,082 tests) while the Nissan Qashqai has 27.7% (2,299,249 tests). The highest complete component category for the Ford Kuga is lamps & electrics, while for the Nissan Qashqai it is suspension.

Should I buy a Ford Kuga or Nissan Qashqai?

This aggregate MOT comparison is not a buying recommendation. It describes recorded model-group outcomes, not the condition or likely result of a particular vehicle. Check the specific vehicle's MOT history and condition before deciding.

Ford Kuga vs Nissan Qashqai — MOT Failure Rate Comparison

Ford Kuga

18.7%

failure rate from 1,161,082 tests

8.2pp below the dataset reference (26.9%)

Nissan Qashqai

27.7%

failure rate from 2,299,249 tests

0.8pp above the dataset reference (26.9%)

Recorded-rate result: The Ford Kuga model group has a 9.1 percentage point lower historical failure rate than the Nissan Qashqai group in this dataset.

Failure Rate by Vehicle Age

How the Ford Kuga and Nissan Qashqai compare across different age groups:

Age	Ford Kuga	Nissan Qashqai	Difference
0-2 years	9.2%	8.7%	Nissan Qashqai +0.5pp
3-5 years	12.6%	13.1%	Ford Kuga +0.5pp
6-10 years	20.7%	27.6%	Ford Kuga +6.9pp
11-15 years	37.3%	51.6%	Ford Kuga +14.3pp
15+ years	36.0%	56.4%	Ford Kuga +20.4pp

Recorded Component Comparison

Side-by-side aggregate rates for MOT tests involving each component category. These are group statistics, not a diagnosis of either vehicle.

Ford Kuga Component Nissan Qashqai

3.6%

Lamps & Electrics

4.7%

2.6%

Tyres

2.7%

2.1%

Brakes

3.6%

1.9%

Visibility

2.4%

1.5%

Suspension

5.6%

0.6%

Body & Chassis

1.9%

0.4%

Steering

2.5%

Component	Ford Kuga	Nissan Qashqai	Lower rate
Lamps & Electrics	3.6%	4.7%	Ford Kuga
Tyres	2.6%	2.7%	Ford Kuga
Brakes	2.1%	3.6%	Ford Kuga
Visibility	1.9%	2.4%	Ford Kuga
Suspension	1.5%	5.6%	Ford Kuga
Body & Chassis	0.6%	1.9%	Ford Kuga
Steering	0.4%	2.5%	Ford Kuga

Which Has the Lower Recorded Failure Rate?

Based on official DVSA MOT test records covering 3,460,331 tests between these two models, the Ford Kuga group has a 9.1 percentage point lower overall failure rate. The Ford Kuga group rate is 18.7% compared with 27.7% for the Nissan Qashqai group.

The age-band table shows whether that gap is consistent across the available groups. The highest recorded component category is lamps & electrics for the Ford Kuga group and suspension for the Nissan Qashqai group. Category rates show historical involvement in failed tests; they do not identify a fault on a particular vehicle.

Explore Each Model in Detail

Compare Your Vehicle

Considering a Ford Kuga or Nissan Qashqai? Enter a reg to see its recorded MOT history and the closest available comparable-vehicle failure rate.

Data methodology: Failure rates are weighted averages across all mileage bands, calculated from official DVSA MOT test records. Only age/mileage combinations with 100+ tests are included. Component percentages are weighted recorded category rates, not probabilities for an individual vehicle. The checked-in dataset contains 148,509,908 tests and 39,969,903 failures. Vehicle condition and history are not captured by these group comparisons.

Check Your Ford Kuga or Nissan Qashqai

Enter your registration to see recorded MOT history and failure rates for comparable vehicles.

Compare Your Vehicle Free