Buying a used Nissan Juke (2010–2019 (Mk1))
Loved and loathed for its looks, the Juke sold in huge numbers so used choice is enormous. Engine and gearbox choice is everything here — some combinations are best avoided entirely, while others are quietly dependable.
Common problems to know about
01CVT automatic failures
The Xtronic CVT is the Juke's biggest weakness: whining, droning, juddering or slipping means a repair bill that can exceed the car's value. Test any automatic hard — hills, kickdown, stop-start traffic — and reject noisy ones without hesitation.
021.2 DIG-T oil consumption and chain wear
The later 1.2 turbo petrol shares the Qashqai's appetite for oil and timing chain stretch. Check the dipstick, ask about top-ups, and listen for rattle on a cold start.
031.5 dCi DPF clogging
The diesel engine itself is durable, but town-bound cars clog their particulate filters. Warning lights, hesitation or smoke are the signs.
04Electrical niggles
Keyless entry, parking sensors, the climate/drive-mode display and window switches can all play up — test everything twice.
05Suspension and brake wear
Drop links, bushes and warped front discs feature heavily in MOT records. Feel for vibration under braking and listen over bumps.
MOT history: what to look for
Common items: suspension bushes and drop links, brake discs and pads, and tyres with uneven or kerbed wear. On diesels, emissions advisories point to short-trip DPF neglect.
Checking a specific Nissan Juke?
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Checklist when viewing the car
- Automatics: extended test with hills and hard acceleration — any drone or judder is a dealbreaker
- Oil level and cold-start rattle on 1.2 DIG-T
- DPF warning lights on diesels after a proper drive
- All electrics, keyless entry and displays
- Brake feel and suspension noise
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the CVT ever been repaired, or its fluid changed — invoices?
- Does the 1.2 use oil between services?
- What journeys did the diesel mostly do?
- Full service history available?
Price notes
CVT cars trade cheaper — that discount is not a bargain, it's a warning. The unfashionable 1.6 petrol manual is the value pick and usually the cheapest to keep.