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MOT performance

Nissan Qashqai vs Mitsubishi Outlander: MOT pass rates compared

In 2023–2024, 69.8% of 1,126,671 Nissan Qashqai MOT tests and 77.8% of 155,926 Mitsubishi Outlander tests passed first time — 8.0 points in favour of the Mitsubishi Outlander. Once age, mileage and fuel are allowed for, the Mitsubishi Outlander fails less often than the Nissan Qashqai: 1.05× against 1.12× the national rate for comparable cars.

1,126,671 Nissan Qashqai and 155,926 Mitsubishi Outlander MOT tests, 2023–2024

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At a glance

Nissan Qashqai vs Mitsubishi Outlander MOT results
FigureValueBasis
Nissan Qashqai: first-time pass rate69.8%±0.1 pts (95%), n = 1,126,671
Mitsubishi Outlander: first-time pass rate77.8%±0.2 pts (95%), n = 155,926
Nissan Qashqai: failures vs similar cars+12%same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00
Mitsubishi Outlander: failures vs similar cars+5%same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00
Nissan Qashqai: dangerous defect9.3%n = 1,126,671
Mitsubishi Outlander: dangerous defect6.3%n = 155,926
Average age at test8.1 vs 7 yearsNissan Qashqai vs Mitsubishi Outlander

Why the raw pass rates can mislead

The Nissan Qashqai was tested at an older average age (8.1 years against 7), and older cars fail more often whatever they are. That is why the table above also shows failures against cars of the same age, mileage and fuel: it compares the models, not their fleets.

Failure areas side by side

Share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and in brackets how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel (1.00 = national average). The clearest difference is speedometer and driving controls, where the Mitsubishi Outlander fails 3.8 times as often on an adjusted basis.

Nissan Qashqai vs Mitsubishi Outlander MOT failures by area
AreaNissan QashqaiMitsubishi Outlander
Brakes7.6% (+26%)6.3% (+44%)
Steering5.6% (+236%)2.5% (+136%)
Suspension12.0% (+50%)5.5% (+9%)
Tyres5.7% (-14%)5.1% (-19%)
Road wheels0.6% (+60%)0.2% (-30%)
Lights, reflectors and electrical9.8% (Same)7.3% (-1%)
Body, chassis and structure4.1% (+53%)1.4% (-4%)
Driver's view of the road4.9% (+14%)3.6% (-2%)
Noise, emissions and leaks2.4% (-10%)1.5% (+19%)
Seat belts and airbags1.6% (+105%)0.4% (-18%)
Registration plates and VIN0.2% (-28%)0.2% (-13%)
Speedometer and driving controls0.0% (-81%)0.0% (-27%)

Pass rate at the same age

Comparing cars of the same age removes most of the fleet-age effect from the raw rates.

Nissan Qashqai vs Mitsubishi Outlander MOT pass rate by age at test
Age at testNissan QashqaiMitsubishi Outlander
3-4 years87.7% (n = 165,079)86.2% (n = 29,671)
5-6 years82.1% (n = 205,914)84.8% (n = 37,836)
7-8 years75.8% (n = 219,554)77.7% (n = 44,786)
9-10 years63.1% (n = 181,234)69.0% (n = 19,728)
11-12 years51.2% (n = 149,918)62.3% (n = 5,616)
13-15 years44.8% (n = 133,583)54.2% (n = 8,991)
16+ years43.8% (n = 20,757)50.9% (n = 3,511)

Most common failure item

MOT results reflect how cars are maintained as well as how they are built, so a gap between two models is a difference in test performance, not proof that one is more reliable. For one car, its own MOT history says more than any average.

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About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.