Used Nissan Qashqai 2007 - 2013 review

The first-generation version of the Nissan Qashqai was actually a huge gamble. It was one of the first family-sized SUVs on the market, at a time when such things weren't as sought after as they are today. If buyers hadn't taken to the rugged looks of the Qashqai or to its unusual name, it could have brought Nissan to its knees, but luckily it was an instant success and went on to spawn hundreds of rivals in its wake.

Part of the reason for its success was that despite looking like an SUV and offering decent practicality and a raised-up driving position, the Qashqai is actually closer in size to traditional family hatchbacks, such as the Ford Focus and VW Golf, so it was easy to drive too, and economical to run. Buyers after seven seats could even choose a Qashqai +2 version, with two extra seats in a lengthened boot area. Both cars remained on sale until the arrival of the all-new second-generation Qashqai in 2013.

Under the bonnet, it offered a simple but decent range of engines. It started with the 1.5-litre dCi diesel, which in time turned out to be the best all-rounder and the best-seller, with more than adequate performance, good refinement and, eventually, a reasonable reliability record. There was also a more powerful and more grumbly 1.6 diesel as well as a punchy 2.0-litre diesel option.

The 1.6-litre petrol option was less impressive but perfectly fine for low mileage driving. A higher-powered but slow-selling and thirsty 2.0-litre petrol version was also available. Those that need four-wheel drive or an automatic gearbox had to go for a 2.0-litre engine (petrol or diesel) if buying a pre-2012 Qashqai.

A new 1.6-litre dCi diesel was introduced in 2012 to replace the 2.0-litre unit and it's both more powerful and more economical than the 1.5, though the smaller engine is cheaper to buy. Four-wheel drive can be specified with the 1.6-litre dCi diesel, although most Qashqais in the classifieds are front-wheel drive.

In terms of specifications, early Qashqais were offered in Visia, Acenta and Tekna trim levels and even the base models are adequately equipped. The Tekna does, however, look more impressive thanks to its larger alloy wheels and other styling upgrades. Just don’t forget that the bigger wheels mean a less comfortable ride.

Even higher specification versions were offered later in the life of the first-generation Qashqai in the form of the N-tec and 360, equipped with high levels of safety equipment and technology as standard.

To drive, the Qashqai was no sports car, of course, but the performance was always adequate and it steered and handled well. The Nissan Qashqai was designed to be comfortable on the road first and foremost and in most trims it's one of the best cars in the class in terms of absorbing speed bumps and potholes. That said, it's worth bearing in mind that examples with larger alloy wheels are less comfortable, if more controlled feeling in the corners.

It does offer a raised ride height and driving position over those cars, but the boot is no larger, nor more useful, and the rear seats aren't especially spacious. The interior is well-made, however, and feels of a high quality.

If you're interested in buying a used Nissan Qashqai, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used cars for sale pages.

Be wary of diesel Qashqais, because the diesel particulate filter (DPFs) can clog up under such conditions, and is expensive to replace. Make sure the DPF warning light is working and that it goes off once the car is running.

DPF problems seems to affect the 2.0-litre diesel more than the 1.5. However, the 1.5-litre engine can suffers from sticking valves if used on mainly low-speed or short journeys. This can lead to turbocharger failure and lack of lubrication elsewhere in the engine, so look out for uneven idling or stuttering when accelerating. Check the oil level, too, and ensure there's a full service history detailing regular oil changes.

Also, inspect the service history for timing belt changes. The 1.5 dCi diesel engine's timing belt (and tensioners and water pump) must be changed at least every four years or 60,000 miles. If the belt fails (and there have been many failures) it can completely wreck the engine leading to a large repair bill.

Listen for rattles from the rear suspension, especially on early, pre-facelift versions of the Qashqai, because there's a known issue with the dampers. Most would have been changed on the original warranty, but it's possible that some used examples will still exhibit this.

Several owners have experienced clutch problems, reporting smoke and a strong burning smell. The issue can be fixed, but dealers have been known to take more than one attempt to cure it.

Squeaks and rattles can appear, especially around the dashboard and front seats. There are complaints about poorly fitted door trims, too.

If the car smells musty or damp, there may be a leak around the edge of the windscreen. Having new glass fitted is the only way to solve this problem.

There have been a number of recalls. Check they have all been done when you buy.

Reason for recall

It has been identified that the front suspension lower ball joints on some of the subject vehicles have not been fully seated into the hub. This has resulted in the securing bolt not fitting into the groove in the ball joint shank. If the situation goes uncorrected the ball joint could detach which could result in loss of vehicle control.

How the manufacturer will repair

Recalled vehicles will be checked for correct location of the ball joint and rectified as necessary.

Reason for recall

The cover screw securing the pinion shaft may loosen causing noise during steering operation. Continued use in this condition could result in the screw coming out of the gear housing and in certain circumstances cause a loss of steering control.

How the manufacturer will repair

Recall the potentially affected vehicles to fit a locking plate to the cover screw that secures the pinion shaft.

Number of affected vehicles

58342

Reason for recall

There is a possibility that the air conditioning compressor may seize which could result in an unexpected engine stall.

How the manufacturer will repair

Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the a/c compressor and the drive belt and idler roller.

Number of affected vehicles

10

Reason for recall

It has been established that the casting for the heat sink on the Electric Power Steering (EPS) control unit may be out of specification. In extreme cases this can cause a failure of the EPS motor which will illuminate a warning light on the dash. Whilst directional control is not affected it is possible that the driver will experience a sudden loss of power assistance.

How the manufacturer will repair

Recall all affect vehicles and replace the EPS control unit.

Number of affected vehicles

2693

According to data from CAP Derwent, a scheme which pools repair information from some of the UK’s biggest vehicle leasing firms, the first-gen Nissan Qashqai is better than class average for most serviceable items, including brake pads, wiper blades, fuel filters, pollen filters and brake fluid.

The Qashqai's air-conditioning system requires attention less often than rival cars’, too, and the timing belt change interval on some versions is 95,000 miles, as opposed to the segment average of 37,000 miles.

Brake discs and light bulbs are on par with the rest of the class, but it's safe to say that the first-gen Qashqai has a good reputation for durability.

Alas, the later second-generation Qashqai has always had a poor reliability record, by contrast. In our most recent What Car? reliability survey, it came fourth from bottom in the family SUV class.

Reliability rating 87.0%

Few of the cars we were told about had a higher proportion of faults than the Nissan Qashqai, with 40% of them going wrong. The battery and non-engine electrical systems caused the most problems, followed by the brakes, exhaust and interior trim. Most of the stricken cars could still be driven, but more than a quarter spent a week or longer in the garage. On the bright side, four out of five of them were fixed for free and no repair bills topped £300.

Nissan as a brand finished in 27th place out of 30 manufacturers in the same survey.

Prices for the first-generation Nissan Qashqai range from £2000 for early 1.6-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel cars with well over 150,000 miles on the clock, to about £8000 for the last diesel examples piled high with equipment and with low mileage. Remember condition is king when buying any first-gen Qashqai at this age, so check its history carefully.

The 1.5-litre diesel Qashqai returns an average of 52.3mpg in the older official tests, while the 1.6-litre petrol manages 42.2mpg. In reality, though, the diesel will get closer to its official economy figure, because the petrol engine needs to be revved hard to maintain progress.

The Qashqai starts at insurance group 13, working its way up to group 20, so premiums shouldn't be too bad.

Franchised dealer servicing costs are noticeably higher than for a Ford Focus or VW Golf, so on a car of this age you might want to consider finding a reliable independent garage to save yourself some money on maintenance.

If your budget allows, go for a post-2010 Qashqai, as the model was facelifted then, sharpening up the appearance of the nose and interior and adding the Puredrive diesel version, which has the lowest emissions.

The Puredrive is powered by one of the most common engines, the 1.5-litre dCi diesel, and it officially returns as much as 57.6mpg. It's the best all-rounder, with adequate performance, good refinement and a well-proven reliability record.

At this age, the Tekna does look more impressive than other trims thanks to its larger alloy wheels and other styling upgrades. Just don’t forget that the bigger wheels mean less comfort.

Our favourite used Nissan Qashqai: 1.5 dCi Tekna

Because the Nissan Qashqai straddles the SUV and family hatchback camps, there are loads of potential alternatives, although it depends on whether your budget fits an early example or a post-facelift car.

Family hatchbacks such as the Ford Focus and VW Golf are plentiful at any budget or year, and while they don’t have the Qashqai’s raised ride height and driving position, they have nearly as much space inside and come in a wide variety of specifications to suit all preferences.

The first-generation Hyundai Tucson could be considered a rival to the early Qashqais, but it’s much noisier and nowhere near as comfortable. It’s also more expensive to run.

The Hyundai ix35, which was introduced in 2009, is far closer to the Nissan Qashqai in concept and it offers plenty of equipment and a five-year manufacturer warranty.

Among later (and more expensive) rivals, try the 2016 onwards Seat Ateca, a class-leading family SUV that takes the original Qashqai concept one step further by being both practical and good to drive.

If you're interested in buying a used Qashqai, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classified pages here.

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