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Nissan Elgrand reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 69,116 MOT tests of cars first registered 1998–2020.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
68.8%pass first time
+9.5 ptsvs typical car
Beats 83%of cars
69,116MOT tests

Verdict

The Nissan Elgrand passes its MOT first time on 68.8% of tests, 9.5 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (59.3%). That puts it ahead of 83% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2011 Elgrand does best (beats 99% of cars) and the 2016 worst (beats 2%).

Better than average on suspension, brakes, visibility.

Watch these weak spots

Rear fog light7.5×as often as a typical car
Ball joint dust covers2.0×as often as a typical car
Brake pads1.7×as often as a typical car
Anti-roll bar links1.4×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%3456781112131415161718192068%62%61%78%76%73%71%66%
Nissan ElgrandTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

1998
Beats 24%
2002
Beats 79%
2003
Beats 82%
2004
Beats 90%
2005
Beats 91%
2006
Beats 91%
2007
Beats 95%
2008
Beats 96%
2009
Beats 97%
2010
Beats 99%
2011
Beats 99%
2015
Beats 7%
2016
Beats 2%
2017
Beats 2%
2018
Beats 3%
2019
Beats 8%
2020
Beats 4%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.5 Petrol2002–202048,42568.0%Beats 79%B
2.5 Petrol2005–201119,65971.9%Beats 94%A
3.2 Diesel1998–19981,03246.8%Beats 24%D

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 3.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 11.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 15.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 15.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 19.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 6.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 8.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 15.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 19.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+3.8 ptsTyres: 6.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.2 ptsBrakes: 8.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+3.3 ptsSuspension: 11.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 15.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+3.4 ptsExhaust: 3.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+2.9 ptsSuspension: 11.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 15.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 8.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 6.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 15.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 19.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 3.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 15.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 19.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+3.8 ptsTyres: 6.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.2 ptsBrakes: 8.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+3.3 ptsSuspension: 11.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 15.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+3.4 ptsExhaust: 3.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+2.9 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 6.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
15.5% vs 19.3%
Suspension
11.8% vs 15.2%
Brakes
8.1% vs 11.4%
Tyres
6.1% vs 7.2%
Visibility
4.6% vs 6.8%
Body & structure
3.4% vs 7.0%
Emissions & leaks
3.1% vs 5.9%
Steering
1.6% vs 3.4%
Seat belts & airbags
0.9% vs 2.2%
Wheels
0.5% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Brake pads 1.7× typical
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Anti-roll bar links 1.4× typical
    A knock or rattle over uneven roads usually means worn anti-roll bar links (cheap to fix).
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k83%78%73%69%67%65%60%
Nissan ElgrandTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Rear fog light7.8%1.0%7.5×
Tyre damage & cracking3.9%4.0%1.0×
Brake pads3.6%2.2%1.7×
Sidelights3.6%5.2%0.7×
Ball joint dust covers3.0%1.4%2.0×
Headlight aim2.8%5.5%0.5×
Windscreen wipers2.5%3.0%0.8×
Tyre tread depth2.5%3.2%0.8×
Drive shaft (CV) joints2.3%2.6%0.9×
Suspension arm bushes2.0%1.8%1.1×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning49.2
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn48.8
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc46.1
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm34.4
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning32.8
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements28.1
Front or rear fog lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements27.8
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements24.8
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2020 Nissan Elgrand1 engine67.6% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.5 Petrol1,07367.6%Beats 4%E
2019 Nissan Elgrand1 engine68.6% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.5 Petrol1,53068.6%Beats 8%E
2018 Nissan Elgrand1 engine63.8% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.5 Petrol1,87163.8%Beats 3%E
2017 Nissan Elgrand1 engine61.5% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.5 Petrol2,62761.5%Beats 2%E
2016 Nissan Elgrand1 engine58.0% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.5 Petrol2,12558.0%Beats 2%E
2015 Nissan Elgrand1 engine59.3% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.5 Petrol1,65259.3%Beats 7%E
2011 Nissan Elgrand1 engine79.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Petrol1,19979.4%Beats 99%A
2010 Nissan Elgrand2 engines78.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Petrol1,84177.7%Beats 98%A
3.5 Petrol1,62279.0%Beats 99%A
2009 Nissan Elgrand2 engines75.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Petrol1,76074.7%Beats 96%A
3.5 Petrol1,56276.2%Beats 98%A
2008 Nissan Elgrand2 engines73.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.5 Petrol4,13273.8%Beats 96%A
2.5 Petrol3,66073.5%Beats 96%A
2007 Nissan Elgrand2 engines72.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.5 Petrol5,17473.0%Beats 96%A
2.5 Petrol3,33371.3%Beats 93%A
2006 Nissan Elgrand2 engines69.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.5 Petrol4,07170.7%Beats 93%A
2.5 Petrol3,11168.8%Beats 88%A
2005 Nissan Elgrand2 engines68.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.5 Petrol5,26769.8%Beats 93%A
2.5 Petrol4,75568.0%Beats 88%A
2004 Nissan Elgrand1 engine67.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.5 Petrol6,58267.9%Beats 90%A
2003 Nissan Elgrand1 engine64.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.5 Petrol5,06364.1%Beats 82%A
2002 Nissan Elgrand1 engine63.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.5 Petrol4,07463.3%Beats 79%B
1998 Nissan Elgrand1 engine46.8% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.2 Diesel1,03246.8%Beats 24%D

FAQ

What is the Nissan Elgrand MOT pass rate?

68.8% of MOT tests on the Nissan Elgrand were passed first time, based on 69,116 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1998–2020. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 59.3% of the time.

Is the Nissan Elgrand reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 83% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Nissan Elgrand year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2011 Elgrand does best for its age and mileage: it beats 99% of cars on UK roads. The 2016 does worst: it beats 2%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Nissan Elgrand?

The most common failure items are rear fog light, tyre damage & cracking, brake pads. Compared with similar cars, rear fog light comes up 7.5× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.