Nissan Qashqai vs Toyota C-HR: which is the better used buy?

On DVSA MOT records the Toyota C-HR is the more reliable used buy: it passes its first MOT 8.4 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 73,321 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
Nissan Qashqai	73.5%	78.6%	-5.2	62,848
Toyota C-HR	90.6%	87.3%	+3.2	10,473

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.

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

Toyota C-HR

Mk1 (2016–2023) · B/C crossover SUV with a distinctive coupe-SUV styling. One of Toyota's most popular models in the UK. Available exclusively with hybrid powertrains in UK-market versions: 1.8 Hybrid (122 PS) and 2.0 Hybrid (184 PS, from 2020). No diesel variant — Toyota positioned the C-HR as a hybrid-only model.

The Toyota C-HR Hybrid is one of the most reliable SUVs in the UK — hybrid system is proven, MOT pass rates are excellent, and the car requires very little unscheduled maintenance. The trade-off is a notably cramped rear seat (the coupe-SUV roofline severely reduces rear headroom) and a relatively small boot (377 litres). If rear space matters, consider the RAV4 Hybrid instead. If you want the lowest ownership cost in a compact crossover, the C-HR Hybrid is an outstanding choice.

What goes wrong

CVT transmission whine or noiseminor
High-pitched whine from transmission under hard acceleration; "rubbery" CVT feel above 60 mph
All years (1.8 Hybrid CVT) · Above 50,000 miles — noise can increase with age · £0 — often normal CVT characteristics; ATF fluid change (£150–£250) can reduce noise on older units
Check: Accelerate firmly from 35–60 mph and listen for transmission noise. The 1.8 Hybrid CVT makes a characteristic high-pitched tone under hard acceleration — this is normal. Persistent grinding or rattling (rather than the characteristic tone) should be investigated.
12V auxiliary battery failuremoderate
Car fails to start; warning lights at startup; hybrid system fault codes; "ready" light does not illuminate
All years approaching 4–5 years old · From 4 years old regardless of mileage · £120–£250 12V auxiliary battery replacement
Check: On any C-HR approaching 5 years old, proactively budget for 12V auxiliary battery replacement. This is the most common unscheduled repair on the C-HR — the main traction battery is excellent, but the 12V auxiliary battery that wakes the hybrid system is a wear item.
Infotainment system — older touchscreen responsivenessminor
Slow touchscreen response; navigation sluggishness; CarPlay/AndroidAuto disconnections
2016–2019 (pre-facelift infotainment) · Not mileage-related — hardware limitation · £0 — software update (free at Toyota); not fixable without hardware upgrade
Check: Test the touchscreen and navigation during the test drive. Pre-facelift C-HR infotainment is notably slower than the 2020+ system. This is a hardware limitation rather than a fault — software updates improve it partially but the 2016–2019 unit is slower than modern equivalents.
Rear door water ingress (select build dates)moderate
Damp rear footwell; musty smell from rear; water visible under rear seat
2016–2018 (certain production batches) · Age-related — more common in wet UK climate · £100–£300 rear door seal replacement
Check: Check the rear footwell carpet for dampness. Press on the rear door seals and check for flexibility — hardened seals are a warning sign. Toyota issued a service campaign for the rear door seal issue — ask if this has been completed on pre-2019 cars.

Typical asking price:: Mk1 2017–2019 1.8 Hybrid: £8,000–£14,000 | Mk1 2020–2022 2.0 Hybrid facelift: £13,000–£20,000
Real-world economy:: 51–63 mpg (1.8 Hybrid real-world UK city/mixed); 49–59 mpg (2.0 Hybrid real-world)
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:: 2020, 2021, 2022
Years to avoid:: 2016, 2017

Full C-HR fault guide Used Toyotas

Which one suits you

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.

Toyota C-HR

Good for: Buyers who prioritise reliability and low ownership costs above all else. Urban and suburban drivers who don't need large rear space or a big boot. Buyers who want Toyota's proven hybrid system in a compact crossover body.

Less good for: Families with teenagers or tall passengers in the rear — the C-HR rear headroom is significantly compromised by the coupe roofline. Buyers who regularly carry large loads — the 377-litre boot is the smallest in its class. Buyers who need to tow — the C-HR is not rated for towing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more reliable, the Nissan Qashqai or the Toyota C-HR?

The Toyota C-HR. It passes its first MOT 8.4 percentage points more often than the Nissan Qashqai once both are age-adjusted, across 73,321 DVSA-recorded tests.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Nissan Qashqai?

73.5% of Nissan Qashqais pass their MOT first time, from 62,848 tests in DVSA's records. The national first-time rate is 77.3%, but cars of this model's age average 78.6% — so it runs 5.2 points worse than its age group.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Toyota C-HR?

90.6% of Toyota C-HRs pass their MOT first time, from 10,473 tests. Against the 87.3% that cars of its age average, it runs 3.2 points better.

Which years should I avoid?

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. For the Toyota C-HR, 2016–2017 launch cars: a small number of CVT transmission noise complaints and early infotainment software issues. Also, pre-facelift 1.8 Hybrid's CVT can feel sluggish on motorway overtakes. These are minor concerns — the C-HR was reliable from launch, just less polished.

Which is cheaper to run?

The Nissan Qashqai returns J12 e-Power: 44–51 mpg. J11 1.5 dCi: 47–57 mpg when running well. in real UK driving; the Toyota C-HR returns 51–63 mpg (1.8 Hybrid real-world UK city/mixed); 49–59 mpg (2.0 Hybrid real-world). Vehicle tax: 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).; C-HR — £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.