Nissan Elgrand: what fails at MOT
23,000 MOT tests on the Nissan Elgrand in 2024, counted. 26.4% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
26.4% of Nissan Elgrand tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 33.7%, so the Elgrand does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (7.6% of tests), suspension (6.2% of tests) and brakes (4.7% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 918 | 32.0% | 10.9% | 79,500 65,700 to 100,600 |
| 2020 | 937 | 35.8% | 11.5% | 90,200 67,400 to 109,200 |
| 2019 | 785 | 33.2% | 13.4% | 87,900 72,400 to 111,200 |
| 2018 | 710 | 38.6% | 15.6% | 96,500 75,900 to 119,500 |
| 2017 | 1,067 | 39.2% | 18.2% | 100,100 77,600 to 127,100 |
| 2016 | 817 | 41.4% | 21.3% | 103,400 83,500 to 131,900 |
| 2015 | 682 | 34.9% | 24.4% | 104,900 80,700 to 134,800 |
| 2014 | 519 | 24.7% | 27.7% | 93,100 58,700 to 123,200 |
| 2013 | 867 | 20.3% | 30.6% | 68,800 57,600 to 89,700 |
| 2012 | 805 | 15.3% | 33.4% | 69,800 53,900 to 90,000 |
| 2011 | 1,084 | 19.5% | 36.1% | 78,600 60,000 to 95,700 |
| 2010 | 1,708 | 16.7% | 38.6% | 69,600 57,200 to 90,700 |
| 2009 | 1,354 | 19.9% | 39.8% | 69,400 55,300 to 88,100 |
| 2008 | 3,030 | 23.2% | 41.5% | 71,900 57,500 to 90,300 |
| 2007 | 2,910 | 24.1% | 41.5% | 73,400 56,000 to 93,600 |
| 2006 | 1,948 | 26.9% | 42.4% | 71,500 55,000 to 91,600 |
| 2005 | 2,139 | 25.4% | 42.2% | 80,200 60,000 to 101,900 |
| 2004 | 1,100 | 32.3% | 42.3% | 81,400 61,600 to 105,000 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Nissan Elgrand tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Elgrand | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 7.6% | 10.4% | Less than most |
| Suspension | 6.2% | 8.5% | Less than most |
| Brakes | 4.7% | 6.2% | |
| Tyres | 3.1% | 4.5% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.7% | 3.8% | Less than most |
| Body and structure | 1.9% | 3.7% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.9% | 3.1% | Less than most |
| Steering | 1.0% | 1.9% | Less than most |
The parts that fail most
- Rear fog light3.8%
- Tyre2.3%
- Side light2.0%
- Brake pads1.9%
- Headlamp aim1.5%
- Wipers1.5%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover1.5%
- Tyre tread1.3%
- Washers1.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes1.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working1.9%
- Rear fog light: not working1.8%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.4%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.4%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.2%
- Rear fog light: does not emit a steady red light1.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.2%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.2%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.1%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge9.4%
- Brake pads: wearing thin6.8%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.7%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement3.8%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing2.5%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive1.8%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play1.8%
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)1.5%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Nissan Elgrand's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.