Nissan Elgrand MOT pass rate and common problems
77.1% of 25,738 Nissan Elgrand MOT tests pass.
The Elgrand has a pass rate of 77.1%, a little higher than the average across all Nissan models (74.9%).
At 77.1%, the Nissan Elgrand passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Nissan Elgrand?
This is the average across every Nissan Elgrand in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Nissan’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Unusually, pass rate is higher for older examples: 69.3% at 0–3 years compared with 78.2% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 69.3% | 456 | 80,915 miles |
| 3–6 years | 71.0% | 2,713 | 92,380 miles |
| 6–10 years | 66.1% | 3,339 | 107,559 miles |
| 10–15 years | 84.9% | 5,368 | 80,428 miles |
| 15+ years | 78.2% | 13,862 | 82,026 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Nissan Elgrand
The most common reason the Nissan Elgrand fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 58.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 58.4% | Not working |
| Suspension | 51.1% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Brakes | 35.1% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 22.1% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 15.1% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Body, chassis, structure | 13.8% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 13.3% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Steering | 5.9% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.0% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Road Wheels | 1.6% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Nissan Elgrand: what to check
These checks follow the Nissan Elgrand’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Nissan Elgrand comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 84.9% to 78.2%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 81.1% down to 70.2%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 58.4% of failed Nissan Elgrand MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 51.1% of failed Nissan Elgrand MOTs. 21.2% of tests at 6–10 years failed on suspension, against 8.3% at 0–3 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 35.1% of failed Nissan Elgrand MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 22.1% of failed Nissan Elgrand MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 15.1% of failed Nissan Elgrand MOTs. 5.4% of tests at 3–6 years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 2.2% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Nissan service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Nissan models
- Nissan Leaf — 85.2% pass rate
- Nissan NV200 — 66.6% pass rate
- Nissan Pulsar — 76.7% pass rate
- Nissan Almera — 63.3% pass rate
- Nissan Pixo — 72.7% pass rate
- Nissan Primastar — 56.2% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Nissan Elgrand?
- 77.1% of Nissan Elgrand MOT tests pass, based on 25,738 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Nissan Elgrand?
- The most common reason the Nissan Elgrand fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 58.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Nissan Elgrand?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Nissan Elgrand are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Nissan Elgrand?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; tyres; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Nissan Elgrand's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Nissan service history guide for how to check and keep one.