BUYING a used car involves lots of decisions. What size and style do you want? Are you petrol, diesel, hybrid, or EV? Should you buy as cheaply as possible or invest as much as you can?
How can you pay for it? (Sun Motors Finance, obviously. More on that later…)
We can’t answer any of these questions, but we can tell you what the UK’s most popular car for sale on Sun Motors is.
It is, of course, the ever-reliable Nissan Qashqai.
When it was launched, this compact crossover SUV pretty much defined the category. It’s nearly 20 years old but remains as popular as ever.
You used to need a lot of cash to get a Qashqai (see what I did there?), but we’ll show you how Sun Motors Finance is making it easier for everyone to buy the right car at the best price.
I’ve driven the Nissan Qashqai and I’ll give you my honest opinion of its good points, bad points, and anything else I can remember that’s relevant.
Sun Motors are a credit broker, not a lender. Representative APR 12.9%
What are the most popular used cars?
Sun Motors is a nationwide marketplace that connects thousands of buyers and dealers. We keep track of every purchase and can reveal our list of the 10 most popular used cars in the UK.
You already know that at the top of the charts is the Nissan Qashqai. Here’s a list of the rest…
- Nissan Qashqai
- VW Golf
- Mercedes A-Class
- Mini (all models)
- Kia Sportage
- BMW 1 Series
- Ford Kuga
- BMW 3 Series
- Audi A3
- Hyundai Tucson
Buying a used car? Find cars for under £200 on Sun Motors here.
Nissan Qashqai used car review
The Nissan Qashqai may have a name that you’ll struggle to spell, but its appeal isn’t hard to spot.
It’s a crossover SUV, which means it looks like a car that’s capable of running off-road and has an elevated driving position, but in reality, it’s a pretty refined and reliable city vehicle.
We’re going to talk about the second-generation (and subsequent) models that launched in 2013.
With this version, Nissan ironed out all the faults and created the UK’s favourite (sort of) SUV.
The Qashquai is now beloved by middle managers, school-run mums and dads, and anyone for whom a MINI was just a little bit too small.
Modern versions are bigger and look more aggressive, but, for our money, don’t look as good.
The high-up driving position offers great visibility, and the responsive handling makes the car manoeuvrable enough to slide into that supermarket parking spot.
OK, so performance-wise it’s not going to knock your socks off or make you smile too much, but it’s a family car, so we never expected it would.
There have been far too many engine variations (including petrol, diesel, hybrid, and the latest e-POWER powertrain) for us to run through them all.
Reviewers seem to favour the 1.3-litre DIG-T 140 mild-hybrid petrol engine, and we won’t argue.
Bad points are, as you’d expect, few and far between. The Qashqai is quite expensive as a used car, with other makes and models perhaps a little cheaper to buy, run and insure.
The Qashqai is, like lots of crossovers, a bit of a fake too. It’s not really an off-roader like the Range Rover, but not many people need that sort of performance (or can afford the price).
How to check your eligibility for the Nissan Qashqai

What’s helpful is that Sun Motors offers a quick budget check so you can see your realistic borrowing limit before you browse.
Start by using our “How much can I borrow?” tool to get an instant estimate of how much you can borrow.
Are Nissan Qashqais reliable?
The Nissan Qashqai isn’t quite as reliable as the bullet-proof Nissan cars of old, with the 2014-21 diesel models in particular suffering from engine and exhaust problems.
Overall, though, it’s a sturdy family motor that shouldn’t leave you stranded by the roadside.
Try to buy one with a full service history, ensure all recalls have been completed, and verify receipts for any work done.
How much is a Nissan Qashqai?
Nissan Qashqais start from £5,000 for a 10-year old (2015) model with over 100,000 miles on the clock. Nearly new models, including the e-POWER version, can cost over £35,000.
As a ballpark, expect to pay around £15-17,000 for a 2020 Qashqai.
It’s not the cheapest car on the market, with some used models as expensive as a new Dacia Duster, for example, but it’ll hold its value.
Can I get finance for a Nissan Qashqai?
Finance is a great way to buy a used Nissan Qashqai. You can spread the cost over a set period with fixed monthly payments allowing you to budget effectively.
Understanding how much you can borrow before you start searching is vital, which is why Sun Motors Finance tool gives you the power. Add some details and you’ll get an accurate indication of the amount you can borrow.
When you start searching, the intelligent functionality will only display Qashquais (and other cars) that you can afford to buy.
The search takes just 60 seconds and won’t affect your credit rating. If you’re successful, you can get full approval for a loan on the same day.
Sun Motors Finance is suitable for those who have been denied credit elsewhere. We work with several lenders who can offer finance packages to individuals who may have been previously refused credit.
Our advice is to check out how much you can borrow before shopping for your new car (whether it’s a Qashqai, convertible, VW, or van).
Sun Motors: Buy your next vehicle today

If you’re part of the 3.3 million Brits looking to buy a used vehicle this year, Sun Motors is an ideal place to start
*If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue
Sun Motors is a seamless, straightforward, transparent platform that ranks by customer searches, not payments. It offers innovative financing and concierge services, ensuring a simple, fair car-buying experience.
Enjoy:
- A choice of fuel type whether it’s petrol, diesel, electric or hybrid
- A range of models from convertible, estate, saloon and many more
- A range of top brands such as Ford, Volkswagen, Toyota and BMW
- Financing options
- Trusted dealers
Is Nissan Qashqai a 4×4?
The Nissan Qashqai isn’t a true 4×4 like a Land Rover or Range Rover, for example, but you can find both front-wheel drive (FWD) and four-wheel drive (AWD) models on the market.
In off-road mode, the 4×4 Qashqai will tackle difficult terrain like mud and gravel, much more confidently than the 2WD version.
Most drivers who really need 4WD performance should look elsewhere. In the end, they probably already were.
Used Nissan Qashqais for sale
We’ve scoured Sun Motors to find three top used cars for sale. You’ll need to get in quick to secure these…
Bargain basement: 2020 Nissan Qashqai Acenta Premium
This isn’t the cheapest Nissan Qashqai on the market, but it’s arguably one of the best-value used motors we’ve seen.
Don’t let the 60,000+ miles on the clock put you off. This Acenta Premium model comes with 17” alloys, a good touchscreen, and parking sensors.
It’ll do 55mpg all day long, too. That’s why this is our bargain buy.
Awesome auto: Nissan Qashqai 1.5 E-Power Tekna
This nearly-new hybrid Qashquai is everything you want from a modern motor. The cool blue Qashqai is in Tekna trim, featuring cool 18-inch alloy wheels, a Bose sound system, and a head-up display. Nice.
High-class hybrid: Nissan Qashqai 1.5 h e-POWER Acenta Premium
The 2022 Qashqai is a thoroughly modern car. Its petrol/electric hybrid motor produces an impressive 188bhp.
It’s quiet, quick, and has the mean look of the new Qashqai.
This particular car has 43,000 miles on the clock so it’s ready to go for thousands more.
Buying a used car? Check out Sun Motors and find your next vehicle today. Whether you’re looking for automatic, manual, or electric, use Sun Motors to decide on your next model.
Nissan Qashqai FAQs
How do I know if a dealer is trustworthy?
Buy a car through Sun Motors, basically. You’ll find that all dealers advertising cars on Sun Motors are vetted and checked for quality and reputation.
You’ll find over 18,000 cars for sale from the UK’s best dealers.
Sun Motors also enables you to connect directly with dealers, allowing you to ask any questions you want before making a purchase.
How much can I borrow for car finance?
The amount of cash you can borrow depends on a range of factors, including your credit history, income, and the finance package (HP or PCP) that you choose.

What’s helpful is that Sun Motors offers a quick budget check so you can see your realistic borrowing limit before you browse.
Start by using our “How much can I borrow?” tool to get an instant estimate of how much you can borrow.
What’s the difference between PCP and HP car finance?
PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) costs less a month. At the end of the agreement, you can return the car or pay a lump sum to keep it.
HP (Hire Purchase), on the other hand, spreads the total cost over fixed payments, and you own the car outright once the agreement is complete.
The good news is that Sun Motors offers both options, so you can choose what works best for you.
Disclosure to be added to bottom of article: Motor Genius Group Ltd t/a Sun Motors is an Appointed Representative (FRN 960504) of The Compliance Guys Ltd who is authorised and regulated by the FCA (FRN 941360). We are a credit broker not a lender. We work with a select group of lenders and will receive commission. The full details of how the commission arrangements work will be provided before you proceed with any arrangement. Finance subject to status and income. Terms and Conditions apply. The advice we provide is not impartial due to our commercial relationships with lenders. ICO number [ZB640135]
Buying a used car? Check out Sun Motors and find your next vehicle today. Whether you’re looking for automatic, manual or electric, use Sun Motors to decide on your next model.