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

On DVSA MOT records the Hyundai Tucson is the more reliable used buy: it passes its first MOT 5.2 percentage points more often than the Nissan Qashqai once both are compared against what the national fleet scores at the same age. That comparison covers 80,250 real tests, not a survey.

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.

Model	Pass rate	Age-matched national	Difference	Tests
Hyundai Tucson	85.3%	85.2%	0	17,402
Nissan Qashqai	73.5%	78.6%	-5.2	62,848

Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). National first-time pass rate 77.3%. Applies to Great Britain — Northern Ireland is tested by the DVA under a separate manual.

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: very early 2020 hybrids.

What goes wrong

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
2020–2022 PHEV · Under warranty within 5 years; out of warranty £1,200+
Check: PHEV battery health check at Hyundai dealer (£30–£50). EV-only range observation: should achieve 25+ miles in good conditions.
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.
Front suspension bushings (UK roads)minor
Knocking on rough surfaces; advisory on MOT
All NX4 · 50,000+ miles · £250–£400
Check: Rough-road portion of test drive.

Typical asking price:: £15,000–£35,000 (2020–2024)
Real-world 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. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2023, 2024
Years to avoid:: 2020 (PHEV)

Full Tucson fault guide Used Hyundais

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+) is markedly more reliable, with only minor e-Power inverter and rear-wiper concerns. Best-buy: J12 2022+. Worst: J11 1.5 dCi pre-2018.

What goes wrong

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.
Rear wiper motorminor
Rear wiper inactive; intermittent operation
Both J11 and J12 · £140–£220
Check: Test rear wiper during inspection.
e-Power inverter (J12)moderate
Reduced power; warning light; vehicle in limp mode
J12 e-Power 2022+ · Should be under warranty; out-of-warranty £1,800+
Check: Diagnostic scan for stored inverter codes.

Typical asking price:: J11: £6,000–£16,000 | J12: £16,000–£32,000
Real-world 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. 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)

Full Qashqai fault guide Used Nissans

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?

The Hyundai Tucson. It passes its first MOT 5.2 percentage points more often than the Nissan Qashqai once both are age-adjusted, across 80,250 DVSA-recorded tests.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Hyundai Tucson?

85.3% of Hyundai Tucsons pass their MOT first time, from 17,402 tests in DVSA's records. The national first-time rate is 77.3%, but cars of this model's age average 85.2% — so it runs level than its age group.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Nissan Qashqai?

73.5% of Nissan Qashqais pass their MOT first time, from 62,848 tests. Against the 78.6% that cars of its age average, it runs 5.2 points worse.

Which years should I avoid?

For the Hyundai Tucson, Initial production PHEVs had higher rates of battery cooling pump failure. Most settled by 2022. For the 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.

Which is cheaper to run?

The Hyundai Tucson returns 38–44 mpg for 1.6 T-GDI petrol; 1.6 hybrid 42–49 mpg in real UK driving; the Nissan Qashqai returns J12 e-Power: 44–51 mpg. J11 1.5 dCi: 47–57 mpg when running well.. Vehicle tax: Tucson — £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).; Qashqai — £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, 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: 2026-08-14 / 2026-08-14.