Nissan Qashqai (2013-2021, J11) buyer's guide
The second-generation Nissan Qashqai (J11), sold from 2013 to 2021, was Europe's best-selling family crossover for good reason: it rides well, sits high for an easy view out, and the cabin holds up to daily use. It came as a 1.2 and 1.6 DIG-T petrol (a 1.3 DIG-T replaced both in the 2018 facelift, so 2019-2021 cars use it), a 1.5 and 1.6 dCi diesel, with a six-speed manual or the Xtronic CVT automatic. Most owner concerns cluster on a few documented areas rather than the car as a whole, and they vary a lot by engine and gearbox. This guide separates the well-reported faults from the noise so you can check the right things before you buy.
Strengths
- Comfortable, composed ride. The J11 was tuned on UK roads and reviewers consistently praise how it soaks up bumps and potholes while staying settled and quiet on the motorway.
- Strong real-world economy from the diesels. The 1.5 dCi in particular is happy to return more than 50 mpg (roughly 4.5 to 5.5 L/100 km) on a steady run, making it cheap to cover distance.
- Big, usable boot and a practical cabin. The 430-litre boot, wide door openings and high seating make it genuinely family-friendly for the class.
- Huge supply and cheap parts. As one of Europe's top sellers, there is a wide choice of used cars and service parts are inexpensive and easy to source, which keeps repair bills down.
- Well-equipped higher trims. Acenta Premium and above add satnav and part-leather, and Tekna adds the 360-degree camera and panoramic roof, so a mid-spec used car still feels generous.
- Strong safety credentials. The J11 earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2014 with stability control and a full airbag set as standard.
Weak points and common problems
- Common (well documented, 1.2 DIG-T petrol, 2014-2016): excessive oil consumption. Many 1.2 petrols use noticeably more oil than expected between services, sometimes more than a litre, so check the dipstick on any test drive and look for a recent oil top-up history. Topping up costs little, but ignoring it can starve the engine. EUR 10-30 per litre of oil.
- Common (service bulletin issued 2016, 1.2 DIG-T petrol): timing chain rattle. A rattling noise on start-up or under acceleration on the 1.2 is linked to the oil-consumption issue, since low oil starves the chain. Nissan issued a technical bulletin and in some cases replaced engines under warranty. Investigate any rattle before buying. Chain and tensioner work EUR 500-900.
- Occasional (owner-reported, 1.2 and 1.6 DIG-T petrol): turbocharger failure. Some petrol turbos have failed, with symptoms of a rough-running engine, reluctance to rev and blue or black smoke under acceleration. Listen for these on a test drive. Turbo replacement EUR 800-1500.
- Common (owner-reported, manual gearbox, petrol and diesel, 2014-2016): clutch judder and dual-mass flywheel wear. Judder when pulling away or vibration through the pedal points to a worn dual-mass flywheel and clutch, a widely reported issue on early manual cars. Some were covered by Nissan, many were not. Clutch and flywheel together EUR 900-1600.
- Occasional (owner-reported, Xtronic CVT automatic): shudder, overheating and in some cases failure. The CVT can judder or hesitate at low speed and is sensitive to overheating under sustained load such as long motorway runs or steep hills, with worn cases showing whining or grinding. A documented but missed fluid history raises the risk. Specialist rebuild or replacement EUR 2500-4500.
- Common (owner-reported, 1.5 and 1.6 dCi diesel, mostly short-trip use): diesel particulate filter (DPF) blockage. Cars used mainly for short urban trips can clog the DPF and trigger a warning light, since the filter needs regular hot motorway running to regenerate. Confirm the car has done longer journeys. Forced regeneration EUR 150-350; replacement EUR 800-1500.
- Occasional (owner-reported, 1.5 and 1.6 dCi diesel): sticking EGR valve. A sticking EGR valve can cause rough idle, stalling, hesitation and a warning light, and is a fairly common diesel maintenance item. Clean or replacement EUR 300-650.
- Occasional (owner-reported, 1.5 dCi diesel): fuel injector faults. The 1.5 dCi injectors are sensitive to poor-quality fuel and can clog or fail, causing stuttering or rough running, and are usually replaced as a set of four. EUR 600-1200 for a full set fitted.
- Common (owner-reported, all models, especially stop-start): early battery failure. Batteries on stop-start cars often fail earlier than expected, sometimes within two to three years, partly due to the aggressive charging strategy. A flat or weak battery can also upset the electric parking brake and stop-start. Replacement battery EUR 150-250.
Maintenance by mileage
- Engine oil and filter change, especially important on the 1.2 DIG-T petrol to protect the timing chain
- Check oil level between services on petrol cars given the known consumption
- Inspect brakes, tyres and battery health
- Replace cabin and air filters
- Inspect EGR valve and intake on diesels for soot build-up
- Brake fluid change if not done recently
- Check air-conditioning charge, as the system can need re-gassing
- Change the CVT fluid with the correct Nissan-approved fluid, even though it is sometimes marketed as lifetime
- Have the transmission scanned for stored fault codes
- Check for any judder or whine that suggests early wear
- Replace the cambelt and tensioner on belt-driven diesels per the schedule
- Inspect the DPF condition and regeneration history
- Check injectors and turbo for wear
- Inspect the water pump while the belt is off
- Assess clutch and dual-mass flywheel wear on manual cars
- Review CVT health and fluid condition on automatics
- Inspect suspension bushes and check for any chassis warning lights
Suggested checks. Real intervals depend on the engine, equipment and how the car was used.
Is it worth buying?
The J11 Qashqai is a comfortable, practical and cheap-to-run used crossover, and a well-kept example is a sensible family buy. The single most important check is the engine: on the 1.2 DIG-T petrol, look closely at oil consumption and listen for timing-chain rattle, and prefer a car with a clear service record. Diesels reward buyers who do regular longer journeys but are hard on the DPF if used only for short trips, while early manual cars deserve a clutch and flywheel check. If you want an automatic, budget for proper CVT fluid changes and walk away from one that shudders or whines. Buy on history and a thorough test drive rather than on price alone.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1.2 DIG-T petrol Qashqai reliable?
It can be, but it has well-documented quirks. The 1.2 DIG-T is known for higher-than-expected oil consumption on 2014-2016 cars, and low oil is linked to timing-chain rattle. A car with a full service history, no rattle and a healthy oil level on the dipstick is much safer than one with gaps in its records.
Should I avoid the Xtronic CVT automatic?
Not necessarily, but treat it with care. Some CVTs judder, hesitate or overheat under sustained load, and worn ones can whine or grind. The key is fluid history: a CVT that has had regular changes with the correct Nissan-approved fluid and drives smoothly is far less of a worry than one with no record.
Petrol or diesel Qashqai for used buying?
It depends on your mileage. The 1.5 dCi diesel is very economical and ideal if you do regular longer journeys, but short urban-only use can clog the DPF. If most of your driving is short trips around town, a petrol generally suits better despite its oil-consumption point on the 1.2.
What does the DPF warning light mean on the diesel?
It usually means the diesel particulate filter is clogging and needs to regenerate, which happens during longer, hotter motorway runs. A car driven mainly on short trips may not get the chance to regenerate. A forced regeneration typically costs EUR 150-350, while a blocked filter that needs replacing is far more expensive.
Are there any recalls on the 2013-2021 Qashqai?
Yes. The most notable is a recall covering the Intelligent Emergency Braking system on cars built between late 2016 and mid 2019, where the system could brake unexpectedly. Always check that any outstanding recall work has been completed using the car's details at a Nissan dealer before you buy.
Why does the Qashqai's air conditioning often need re-gassing?
Owners frequently report the air-conditioning losing its charge and needing a re-gas, sometimes within a couple of years, partly linked to the refrigerant used. It is usually a maintenance cost rather than a major fault. A re-gas typically costs EUR 80-150, though a failed compressor is more.
Does the clutch judder problem affect every Qashqai?
No, it mainly affects early manual cars from roughly 2014-2016, both petrol and diesel. Judder when pulling away or vibration through the pedal points to a worn dual-mass flywheel and clutch. Automatics are not affected by this particular issue, though they have their own CVT considerations.