Are Nissan cars reliable?
Wondering if Nissans are reliable? Explore our in-depth guide to Nissan reliability, including top models and expert insights.
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By Nic Hopkirk
Last updated: 22 July 2025
If you’re wondering whether Nissans are reliable, you’ve come to the right place. The good news is that cars made by Nissan – like cars from many other Japanese brands – are generally dependable.
Like many brands nowadays, Nissan has a strong focus on practical SUVs and eco-friendly electric cars, which are often praised for their reliability.
And the cars are not only good value for money to buy, but parts are also generally affordable, so any repairs you do need won’t break the bank.
As with any make of car, looking after your Nissan with regular servicing and maintenance will help to ensure its long-term reliability.
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What makes a car reliable?
There are a few key ways to judge a car’s reliability, such as surveys, service history and Euro NCAP scores.
Solid service history usually means a car has been well looked after, making it more likely to be reliable for you. Like anything, car components wear down with use, and proper maintenance is key to making sure cars last.
Next is the Euro NCAP rating, which isn’t directly related to reliability, but can give an idea of how well-built your car is. The higher the rating, the better.
And finally, reliability surveys are a great way to gauge how dependable a car is. These get the verdict right from the owners’ mouths, so you can find out how others found living with that model.
These surveys also help to develop the reputation of a car brand’s reliability. You’ll often hear that X brand is reliable, and Y brand isn’t – often, this is based on these surveys.
Understanding reliability ratings
In the UK, car reliability ratings are generally judged on surveys that measure owners’ experiences.
Carried out by organisations such as What Car?, Which?, and Driver Power, the surveys focus on factors like breakdowns, repair costs and repair times.
This data is then used to provide reliability rankings for different brands and their specific models.
How are reliability ratings decided?
These big surveys of car owners look into:
The overall performance of the car (including engineering and build quality)
The frequency of breakdowns
The cost of repairs (and how long they usually take)
Any common mechanical issues
How reliable are different Nissan models?
Nissan Qashqai reliability
 "Nissan Qashqai front three quarters")
Nissan’s Qashqai was named the "Most Reliable Car of 2023" by Which? Magazine, praised for its practicality, dependability, and family appeal.
The Qashqai enjoys a reputation for being a spacious and comfortable ride, with good visibility and a versatile interior for both passengers and cargo.
Find a used Nissan Qashqai for sale
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Nissan LEAF reliability
 "Nissan Leaf front three quarters")
The LEAF is highly regarded for reliability, achieving second place in What Car?’s 2025 reliability rankings for electric vehicles.
With a surprisingly spacious interior for its size, the LEAF enjoys a good rep for being a comfortable ride around town, with simple controls that make it easy to drive and manoeuvre.
Popular among families, especially those with small children, it also offers good headspace and legroom for parents and teenagers.
Find a used Nissan LEAF for sale
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Find reliable used Nissan cars
At cinch, all of our cars come with a 90-day warranty and 14-day money back guarantee.
We make sure all our used cars have a valid MOT for at least six months, so you can enjoy peace of mind.