Kia Sportage vs Nissan Qashqai: which is the better used buy?

On DVSA MOT records the Kia Sportage is the more reliable used buy: it passes its first MOT 3.9 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 94,872 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
Kia Sportage	80.5%	81.7%	-1.3	32,024
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.

Kia Sportage

NQ5, 2021+ · compact crossover SUV

The NQ5 Kia Sportage (2021+) shares the Hyundai Tucson's platform and engines, so faults are similar: 1.6 T-GDI oil consumption claims (largely resolved), PHEV battery cooling pump, and minor TPMS quirks. Kia's 7-year warranty covers most of the risk. Best-buy: 2023+. Worst: early 2021 PHEV.

What goes wrong

1.6 T-GDI oil consumption (shared with Hyundai)moderate
Oil drop between services
2021–2022 · Usually goodwill within 7-yr warranty; out of warranty engine rebuild £3,500+
Check: Dipstick at viewing; service history.
PHEV battery cooling pumpmajor
"Hybrid system" warning; reduced EV range
2021–2022 PHEV · Under warranty; £1,200+ otherwise
Check: PHEV battery health check (£30–£50 at Kia dealer).
TPMS sensor faultsminor
"Tyre pressure" warning despite correct pressures
All NQ5 · £80–£140 per sensor
Check: Visual check on dash — no warnings.
Front suspension bushingsminor
Knocking on rough roads
All NQ5 · 50,000+ miles · £250–£400
Check: Rough-road test drive.

Typical asking price:: £17,000–£38,000 (2021–2024)
Real-world economy:: 38–45 mpg 1.6 T-GDI petrol; 1.6 hybrid 43–50 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:: 2021 (PHEV)

Full Sportage fault guide Used Kias

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

Kia Sportage

Good for: Family buyers wanting Kia's 7-year warranty for peace of mind.

Less good for: Buyers needing premium badge.

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 Kia Sportage or the Nissan Qashqai?

The Kia Sportage. It passes its first MOT 3.9 percentage points more often than the Nissan Qashqai once both are age-adjusted, across 94,872 DVSA-recorded tests.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Kia Sportage?

80.5% of Kia Sportages pass their MOT first time, from 32,024 tests in DVSA's records. The national first-time rate is 77.3%, but cars of this model's age average 81.7% — so it runs 1.3 points worse 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 Kia Sportage, Initial-year PHEV had highest rate of battery thermal management issues. 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 Kia Sportage returns 38–45 mpg 1.6 T-GDI petrol; 1.6 hybrid 43–50 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: Sportage — £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.