Nissan Elgrand MOT Failures

An analysis of 79,162 real DVSA MOT tests on the Nissan Elgrand — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: E50 (1997–2002), E51 (2002–2010), E52 (2010–2024).

Where the Nissan Elgrand fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Nissan Elgrand is obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or... — this model is 277 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 79,162 MOT tests, 3.03% of all Nissan Elgrand tests recorded this as a failure.

Lighting faults are usually straightforward to fix (bulbs, connectors, earth points) but can indicate deeper wiring issues on older cars. Check all lights including fog lamps, number plate lights, and dashboard warning lights.

Other notable weak points include anti-roll bar links worn (51x the fleet average), emissions failure (36x the fleet average), suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (19x the fleet average), and front or rear fog lamp switch inoperative or no... (463x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Nissan Elgrand's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.

The failures span 5 categories: Lights & Electrics, Suspension, Exhaust & Emissions, Steering, Bodywork. If you're inspecting a Nissan Elgrand before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.

How failures change with mileage

The Nissan Elgrand's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.

Under 60,000 miles

At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.

For the Nissan Elgrand specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are front or rear fog lamp switch inoperative or no... (463x the average) and obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or... (277x). anti-roll bar links worn (51x) and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (19x) also appear frequently.

60,000 to 100,000 miles

This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.

For the Nissan Elgrand specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are front or rear fog lamp switch inoperative or no... (214x the average) and obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or... (109x). suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (8.6x) and power steering fault (8.4x) also appear frequently.

Over 100,000 miles

High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.

For the Nissan Elgrand specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or... (134x the average) and transmission shaft bearing worn (75x). steering rack wear (64x) and front or rear fog lamp emitted colour, position... (52x) also appear frequently.

The shift from front or rear fog lamp switch inoperative or no... at lower mileages to obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or... at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.

Known issues beyond the MOT

An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Nissan Elgrand specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Structural corrosion in suspension mounting areas Dangerous

The E50 Elgrand suffers from severe structural corrosion around suspension and subframe mounting points, particularly affecting diesel variants. Affects E50; typical independent garage repair cost is £3,000–£6,000.

Steering rack gaiter deterioration and failure Major

The steering rack gaiters (rubber boots protecting the steering rack) deteriorate at exceptionally high rates on Elgrand models, allowing dirt and moisture to enter the steering rack mechanism. Affects E50, E51; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£250.

Power steering system leaks and malfunction Major

The power steering system experiences high failure rates due to the Elgrand's heavy weight and complex hydraulic setup. Affects E50, E51, E52; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£600.

Suspension joint dust cover degradation

Suspension joint dust covers (protective rubber boots on ball joints and suspension bushes) deteriorate rapidly on Elgrand models due to the vehicle's weight and poor quality rubber compounds. Affects E50, E51, E52; typical independent garage repair cost is £80–£150.

For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Nissan Elgrand common problems breakdown.

What to check before buying a Nissan Elgrand

Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Nissan Elgrand:

Lights & Electrics — check for obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or..., front or rear fog lamp switch inoperative or no..., front or rear fog lamp emitted colour, position.... Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn, suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure.

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about structural corrosion in suspension mounting areas and steering rack gaiter deterioration and failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £3,000. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.

Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.

MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.