Used Nissan Qashqai Engines UK: Costs & What to Check

Used Qashqai Engine: 1.2 DIG-T Risk and What to Check

Quick answer: a used Qashqai engine costs about £2,000–£4,000 fitted, and it is a sensible buy on a well-documented 1.5 dCi diesel. On a 1.2 DIG-T petrol (2014–2018), choose reconditioned unless the rings and timing chain have been proven updated.

Who this guide is for: UK Qashqai owners facing engine failure, and anyone buying a replacement engine on a budget. Use it before you agree a price, to compare used and reconditioned options, check a donor engine and decide whether a cheaper unit is worth the risk.

A used Qashqai engine can save you real money — or inherit exactly the fault that killed the first one. On this car, the difference is entirely about which engine you're buying.

·        1.5 dCi diesel: the safer used buy — proven, long-lived, easy to source

·        1.2 DIG-T petrol (2014–2018): the risky one — piston rings, oil use, chain failure

·        Used, fitted: £2,000–£4,000

·        Reconditioned, fitted: £3,000–£6,000

·        The rule: on a 1.2 DIG-T, insist the rings and chain were addressed

Our free engine price comparison puts reconditioned and used Nissan Qashqai engines side by side.

Generation	Years	Petrol	Diesel
J10	2007–2013	1.6 HR16DE, 2.0 MR20DE	1.5 dCi K9K, 2.0 dCi M9R
J11	2014–2021	1.2 DIG-T HRA2DDT, 1.3 DIG-T, 1.6 DIG-T	1.5 dCi, 1.6 dCi
J12	2021–	1.3 DIG-T mild-hybrid, 1.5 e-Power	—

Used Nissan Qashqai Engines for Sale — Buying Safely in the UK

The 1.2 DIG-T (2014–2018) has the worst failure record in the Qashqai range. Its failure chain is documented in Nissan's own technical bulletin TB EM 15/05:

1.      Piston ring design causes excessive oil consumption

2.      Low oil pressure damages the timing chain tensioner

3.      The chain jumps or snaps, destroying the engine

4.      Some units crack their blocks

That matters enormously when buying used, because a donor 1.2 DIG-T may be about to fail in exactly the same way. If you buy used, insist the engine has been rebuilt with updated rings and a new chain kit — or buy reconditioned instead.

·        Rising oil consumption — a litre every 600 miles is a red flag

·        Cold-start rattle from the timing chain area

·        Fault codes P0016/P0017 (cam/crank correlation)

·        Misfire, rough idle or power loss

·        Sludge or neglect in the service history

If a seller can't show you evidence the engine is sound, the mileage figure tells you nothing.

The short version

The 1.5 dCi diesel (K9K) is generally the dependable choice — owners report 200,000+ miles on original units. Check for:

·        Sticking valves (a risk on short-journey cars)

·        DPF and EGR condition

·        Injector and pump health — repairs can reach £2,000–£3,000

·        Timing belt history (due every 4 years or 60,000 miles)

The 2.0 dCi (M9R) is also worth considering, but DPF problems are common, especially on short runs.

Know which Qashqai engine you have

Route	Typical cost	Notes
Used, fitted	£2,000–£4,000	Budget route
Reconditioned, supply only	£1,600–£3,200	Value route
Reconditioned, fitted	£3,000–£6,000	Labour and ancillaries included
Dealer new, fitted	£10,000–£12,000+	Rarely the value choice

The 1.2 DIG-T: read this before buying used on a Qashqai

Take this checklist to every seller:

5.      What vehicle did this engine come from, and can I see the VIN?

6.      What's the documented mileage, and how is it evidenced?

7.      Has it been compression-tested or run? Can I see the results?

8.      On a 1.2 DIG-T: have the rings and chain been updated?

9.      What's included — ancillaries, turbo, pumps?

10.   What warranty and returns terms apply, in writing?

No evidence, no sale. That one rule prevents most Qashqai engine disasters.

Warning signs on a failing Nissan Qashqai

For most 1.2 DIG-T owners, reconditioned is the safer route — because a quality rebuild addresses the rings and chain, which is precisely what a used unit leaves unproven. On a well-documented 1.5 dCi, a used engine can be a sensible saving.

The decision comes down to risk tolerance and how long you're keeping the car. If you'll own it for years, the reconditioned route usually costs less per year.

Which used Qashqai engine is the safer buy?

The cause of the original failure matters. If the engine died from oil starvation or an unresolved cooling or turbo fault, fitting a replacement without fixing it repeats history. Confirm the diagnosis — compression, oil pressure, fault codes — before you commit. If you want to know which units hold up best, our guide to reliable Nissan Qashqai engines compares reconditioned, used and rebuilt options.

What used and reconditioned Qashqai engines cost

·        Change the oil and filter early, as the supplier advises

·        Check the oil level weekly on a 1.2 DIG-T

·        Watch coolant and temperature on a dCi

·        Keep every document — it protects your warranty

How to buy a used Qashqai engine safely

On this engine more than any other, spotting a bad unit means understanding how it fails. The sequence — rising oil use, dropping oil pressure, chain rattle, chain failure — leaves traces you can check:

·        Oil consumption history. Ask how often the donor needed topping up. 'It used a bit of oil' is a warning, not a reassurance.

·        Cold-start rattle. If it rattles from cold, the tensioner is already struggling.

·        Fault codes. P0016/P0017 point to cam/crank correlation problems.

·        Block cracks. Some units cracked; a documented inspection is the only proof.

·        Service history. Regular oil changes matter more here than almost anywhere.

An honest seller will have answers. A vague one is a risk you don't need to take, because there are better options.

When reconditioned beats used on a Qashqai

A safe purchase includes:

·        Donor VIN or registration, so the unit is traceable

·        Documented mileage, with evidence

·        Compression or running-test results

·        A written list of included parts — turbo, pumps, ancillaries

·        Warranty and returns terms in writing

·        For a 1.2 DIG-T: proof the rings and chain were addressed

On the Qashqai, that last line is the one that decides whether 'cheap' is a bargain or a trap.

Always diagnose a Nissan Qashqai fault first

·        Change the oil and filter early

·        Check the level weekly on a 1.2 petrol

·        Give a diesel regular longer journeys

·        Keep every document for warranty purposes

Once your Nissan Qashqai engine is in: the paperwork you must sort

On most cars, this is a straightforward budget call. On the Qashqai, one engine tips the balance.

For the 1.2 DIG-T petrol, used is the riskier route by some margin. Its failure comes from piston rings and the timing chain — the very parts a used engine leaves unproven. Unless a used unit has documented proof that the rings and chain were updated, you may simply be buying the next failure. For most owners here, reconditioned is the safer spend.

For the 1.5 dCi diesel, the calculus is friendlier. It's a proven Renault-alliance unit with a strong record — some owners pass 200,000 miles. With documented donor history, a used unit can be a genuine saving, provided the belt, DPF and EGR have been considered.

For the 2.0 dCi, weigh the DPF and EGR history carefully. A used unit with a clogged filter inherits the problem.

Put simply, used makes sense where the engine's weaknesses are known and observable, and it makes least sense where the failure is invisible until it happens. On the Qashqai, that line runs between the dCi and the 1.2 petrol.

How to spot a used 1.2 DIG-T to avoid on a Qashqai

The Qashqai rewards buyers who understand its engines. On a dCi, a documented used unit can be an excellent value purchase. On a 1.2 DIG-T, the same purchase can simply postpone the problem. Knowing which side of that line you're on is most of the decision.

Whatever you buy, insist on evidence: donor details, test results, included parts and warranty terms. Paid on paperwork, a Qashqai engine is a sound investment. Paid on price alone, it's a coin toss — and on this car, the odds favour the careful buyer every time.

Used Qashqai Engine FAQs

Are used Qashqai engines worth buying?

Yes, on a documented 1.5 dCi. On a 1.2 DIG-T, only if the rings and chain were properly updated.

Which Qashqai engine should I avoid used?

The 1.2 DIG-T (2014–2018), unless it has had a documented rebuild with updated components.

How much is a used Qashqai engine fitted?

Typically £2,000–£4,000, depending on the engine and garage.

Is price comparison free?

Yes. A comparison service requests quotes from multiple vetted UK suppliers at no cost, with no obligation.

Should I buy reconditioned instead?

Usually yes for a 1.2 DIG-T or a car you are keeping. A reconditioned unit with a warranty is the safer spend.

How do I check a used Qashqai engine before buying?

Ask for evidence. Request donor details, mileage proof, compression or running results, the included-parts list and warranty terms, all in writing.

Is a used engine cheaper to run?

Cheaper to buy, but riskier. If it fails early, the total cost can exceed a reconditioned unit straight away.

Caring for a used replacement on a Qashqai

Enter your registration to compare used engines for sale for the Nissan Qashqai against reconditioned options from vetted UK suppliers, with warranty detail attached.