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Hyundai Tucson vs Nissan Qashqai: which is the better used buy?

On DVSA MOT records the Hyundai Tucson does better at its MOT: measured against cars of the same age, it comes out 5.2 percentage points ahead of the Nissan Qashqai on first-time MOT passes. That comparison covers 80,250 real tests across every generation on the road, not a survey. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure. The MOT checks safety and emissions items, not the engine, clutch or gearbox, so this is one measure of how each car holds up rather than a full reliability verdict; the common faults below cover the rest.

MOT first-time pass rate

Counted from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test records. “vs age-matched” compares each model against what the national fleet scores at the same age — the only fair better-or-worse number, because an older fleet fails more whatever its build quality.

Hyundai Tucson
Pass rate85.3%
Age-matched national85.2%
Difference0.0
Tests17,402
Nissan Qashqai
Pass rate73.5%
Age-matched national78.6%
Difference-5.2
Tests62,848

These figures count every generation still on the road, not only the one described below: mostly Hyundai Tucsons registered 2015–2022 and Nissan Qashqais registered 2007–2022.

Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). National first-time pass rate 77.3%. Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a first-time pass; DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. The difference is worked out before rounding, so it can be 0.1 away from the two rounded figures beside it.

Hyundai Tucson

NX4, 2020+ · compact crossover SUV

The NX4 Hyundai Tucson (2020+) is a fixture of the UK's top ten best-sellers and broadly reliable. Concerns: 1.6 T-GDI smart-stream engine had early oil-consumption claims (largely settled), PHEV battery cooling pump issues, and pre-2023 infotainment freezes. Long warranty mitigates most risk. Best-buy: 2023+. Worst: no single year stands out on DVSA MOT results.

What goes wrong

  • Safety recall R/2024/489recall
    The subject vehicles may experience a loss of brake assistance and brake performance may e reduced. The foot brake will still operate but in a manner of a vehicle without a functioning brake booster (less assistance)
    3,225 vehicles of this model (DVSA’s figures added up) · built between 12 September 2022 and 7 September 2023
    Smaller recall — 3,225 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.
  • 1.6 T-GDI smart-stream oil consumptionmoderate
    Oil level drops between services; rough idle; rare warning
    2020–2022 1.6 T-GDI · Often goodwill from Hyundai UK under 5-yr warranty; out-of-warranty engine rebuild £3,500+
    Check: Dipstick at viewing. Service history: any oil top-ups recorded? Hyundai goodwill claim history.
  • PHEV battery cooling pumpmajor
    "Hybrid system" warning; battery thermal management warning; reduced EV range
    2021–2022 PHEV (Hyundai UK launched the Tucson plug-in hybrid in March 2021) · Under warranty within 5 years; out of warranty £1,200+
    Check: PHEV battery health check at Hyundai dealer (£30–£50). Compare the EV-only range the car shows on a full charge with the official WLTP electric range for that model: a large shortfall on a mild day suggests the battery has degraded.
  • Infotainment freezesminor
    Screen unresponsive; CarPlay drops; reboot needed
    2020–2022 · Free under software update at Hyundai dealer
    Check: Software version on test drive — should be post-2023 update.
Typical asking price:
£10,290–£19,995, median £11,995 (middle 80% and median, cars on Autoza on 29 October 2026)
Fuel economy:
38–44 mpg for 1.6 T-GDI petrol; 1.6 hybrid 42–49 mpg
Vehicle tax:
£200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025 (2026/27 rates). A car registered from April 2017 that listed at over £40,000 new (options included) also pays the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 — it is the price when new that counts, not what you pay for it used.
Best years:
2023, 2024
Used Hyundai Tucsons for saleFull Tucson fault guideUsed Hyundais

Also compare:

Nissan Qashqai

J11 2014–2021, J12 2021+ · compact crossover SUV

The Nissan Qashqai J11 (2014–2021) suffers from 1.5 dCi DPF and injector issues pre-2018, plus CVT (X-Tronic) judder on the 1.6 petrol. The J12 (2021+) has fewer owner-reported faults, mainly minor e-Power inverter and rear-wiper concerns, but DVSA lists J12 recalls too (R/2025/424, a fuel pipe that can wear and leak, 101,557 vehicles built 4 May 2021 to 17 October 2024). Best-buy: J12 2022+. Worst: J11 1.5 dCi pre-2018.

What goes wrong

  • Safety recall R/2020/220recall
    Possible reduced retention force of the rear door child lock switch
    299,631 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 28 September 2015 and 3 March 2018
    Large recall — 299,631 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.
  • Safety recall R/2025/424recall
    Qashqai (J12) Fuel Pipe
    101,557 vehicles of this model (DVSA’s figures added up) · built between 4 May 2021 and 17 October 2024
    Large recall — 101,557 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.
  • 1.5 dCi DPF + injectors (J11)major
    Engine warning light; limp mode; DPF full message
    J11 1.5 dCi 2014–2018 · Typical issue from 50,000 miles · DPF clean £400–£700; injector set £1,400+; combined often £2,000+
    Check: Avoid 1.5 dCi if possible. Diagnostic scan mandatory. Service history showing repeat DPF events is a red flag.
  • CVT (X-Tronic) judder (J11 1.6 petrol)major
    Shudder under acceleration; rubber-band feel; warning at high speed
    J11 1.6 DIG-T petrol · 50,000+ miles · CVT replacement £2,500–£4,000
    Check: Long test drive including motorway acceleration. Any judder = walk away.
Typical asking price:
£4,750–£11,985, median £7,850 (middle 80% and median, cars on Autoza on 29 October 2026)
Fuel economy:
J12 e-Power: 44–51 mpg. J11 1.5 dCi: 47–57 mpg when running well.
Vehicle tax:
£200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. A car registered from April 2017 with a list price over £40,000 when new adds the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 (£640 in all). Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:
2022, 2023, 2024
Years to avoid:
2014–2017 (1.5 dCi)
Used Nissan Qashqais for saleFull Qashqai fault guideUsed Nissans

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Which one suits you

Hyundai Tucson

Good for: Family buyers wanting low-stress modern SUV with Hyundai's 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty (within service-record terms).

Less good for: Buyers needing premium badge feel; very high-mileage motorway commuters (diesel alternatives more efficient).

Nissan Qashqai

Good for: Family buyers wanting practical compact SUV. Strong UK-spec features (heated seats, large boot).

Less good for: Buyers tempted by sub-£11k J11 1.5 dCi without service history — repair bills can quickly exceed purchase price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more reliable, the Hyundai Tucson or the Nissan Qashqai?
On the MOT measure, the Hyundai Tucson: measured against cars of the same age, it comes out 5.2 percentage points ahead of the Nissan Qashqai on first-time MOT passes, across 80,250 DVSA-recorded tests covering every generation on the road. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure. The MOT checks safety and emissions items, not the engine, clutch or gearbox, so this is one measure of how each car holds up rather than a full reliability verdict.
How do the MOT pass rates of the Hyundai Tucson and the Nissan Qashqai compare?
85.3% of Hyundai Tucsons pass their MOT first time (17,402 tests in DVSA's records) and 73.5% of Nissan Qashqais pass their MOT first time (62,848 tests). The national first-time rate is 77.3%, but cars of the Hyundai Tucson's age average 85.2% and cars of the Nissan Qashqai's age 78.6% — so the Hyundai Tucson runs level with its age group and the Nissan Qashqai runs 5.2 points worse than its own. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure.
Which years of the Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Qashqai should I avoid?
Hyundai Tucson: The first UK plug-in hybrids arrived in spring 2021, and those early cars are the ones owners most often report battery cooling pump faults on. How often it happens is not known. The DVSA MOT table on this page rates 2021 registrations above all cars registered that year, so it is not named as a year to avoid. Judge a Tucson by its registration, service history and the checks below rather than by year. Nissan Qashqai: J11 1.5 dCi pre-2018 had cascading DPF and injector issues; ownership in the UK often stacked £2,000+ in repairs by 60,000 miles.
Is the Hyundai Tucson or the Nissan Qashqai cheaper to run?
On fuel the Nissan Qashqai has the edge: its most economical version returns up to 57 mpg, against up to 49 mpg for the Hyundai Tucson, on the figures in our model guides. For cars registered from April 2017, vehicle tax works the same way for both: the £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included, plus the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 on a car that listed at over £40,000 new — the price when new, not what you pay for it used. Any Hyundai Tucson or Nissan Qashqai registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017 pays a CO2 band instead, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates). Insurance differs mainly by driver and postcode rather than by model, so treat any model-level insurance figure with caution.

MOT figures are counted from DVSA records and are the only measured statistic here. Prices, economy and tax bands are indicative and vary by specification, condition and where the car has lived. Last reviewed: 2026-10-06 / 2026-10-06.