Given the numbers of Qashais sold, I would have expected howls of anguish from the many owners of the electrical faults that have developed as a result of using Renault parts. As this has not been the case and the QQ is a very popular vehicle, why would someone not buy one if they wanted to?

There may be more suitable cars for the purpose of the OP, but many worse ones as well.

Volvo has 4wd options as well, the XC90, XC70 and XC60 - there's also the Korean quartet of Hyundai Santa Fe / iX35 and Kia Sorento / Sportage - technically there's also Chevrolet and Vauxhall Korean-built SUVs but they really aren't up to Hyunda/Kia quality IMO.

Recalls aren't an issue - the biggest issues are the recurring faults that manufacturers WON'T accept liability for !!

With that budget you'd get a good selection of top specification 2011 Santa Fe's, including 7-seat versions, all with the well regarded R-series 2.2 diesel with 194 bhp.

The Hyundai iX35 and sibling Kia Sportage still have petrol options - you might get a demonstrator or pre-reg with your budget then.

Maybe a tad small in the back and the ride isn't to everyone's taste but a 5 door Suzuki Grand Vitara with the 2.4 petrol engine can be picked up cheaply a year old.

I got a 12 plate SZ5 for £12K with 5k miles on it.

I don't do lots of miles so fuel consumption is not a great concern (~30mpg) but it drives well enough for my needs.

I have a Mazda CX_5 175 now, but have owned four Nissans, two xtrails & two primeras.

I have never had any electrical problems other than a ECU replacement on my MK1 Primera bought when Nissan was purely Jap owned, and that only had to be replaced due to the prat that PDI it, he pressured washed the engine compartment, the car was a 10 month old ex managers car, water was everywhere all the plugs were swimming in it.

Although Renault car do have a bad name for electric problems i haven't had any with my cars since Renault were part owners, now they own only a tiny share of Nissan.

The problem with the Cashcow is really only if you buy new as the residuals are dire.

Its the most popular cross over made so the large number of cars on the market has pushed down prices.

So they are an excellent second hand buy, personally i would only buy a car with a turbo, but thats just my personal opinion, i had two Primera 2L petrol cars and at the time thought they were brilliant.