Nissan El Grand Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Nissan El Grand car check
Is the Nissan El Grand reliable? We analysed 1,968 real MOT tests across 131 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Nissan El Grand? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Nissan El Grand is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, steering rack gaiter split and fog lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Nissan El Grand.
Nissan El Grand Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Nissan El Grand. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Nissan El Grand MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Nissan El Grand to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Nissan El Grand Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Nissan El Grand fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Nissan El Grand Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Nissan El Grand owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Nissan El Grand MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Nissan El Grand year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 53 | 66.0% | 94,876 | 104,326 | 148,300 |
| 2015 | 81 | 72.8% | 92,509 | 118,910 | 155,817 |
| 2013 | 62 | 77.4% | 91,409 | 123,087 | 159,856 |
| 2012 | 75 | 74.7% | 108,230 | 139,562 | 151,028 |
| 2011 | 172 | 69.2% | 90,382 | 124,157 | 150,259 |
| 2010 | 179 | 71.5% | 85,621 | 107,072 | 133,402 |
| 2009 | 129 | 72.1% | 77,794 | 129,318 | 178,609 |
| 2008 | 167 | 70.1% | 119,307 | 139,742 | 172,649 |
| 2007 | 197 | 67.0% | 72,184 | 113,629 | 159,148 |
| 2004 | 67 | 79.1% | 114,066 | 135,601 | 155,828 |
| 2002 | 68 | 76.5% | 87,391 | 104,617 | 129,782 |
| 2000 | 61 | 70.5% | 77,791 | 103,401 | 120,743 |
| 1999 | 62 | 64.5% | 97,501 | 115,812 | 137,539 |
| 1998 | 189 | 63.0% | 75,027 | 99,891 | 122,805 |
| 1997 | 192 | 62.5% | 113,226 | 142,290 | 178,793 |
How Long Does a Nissan El Grand Last?
Based on 131 Nissan El Grand vehicles on UK roads.
Nissan El Grand Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Nissan El Grand MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Nissan El Grand
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
79.1% MOT pass rate from 67 tests
62.5% MOT pass rate from 192 tests
The best year to buy a used Nissan El Grand is 2004, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.1% across 67 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Nissan El Grand Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan El Grand THIS CAR | 69.2% | 1,968 | 119,228 mi | 29 yrs |
| Nissan Micra | 71.4% | 10,566,512 | 55,214 mi | 37 yrs |
| Nissan Qashqai | 77.3% | 6,506,323 | 59,398 mi | 19 yrs |
| Nissan Juke | 79.3% | 3,002,435 | 49,593 mi | 16 yrs |
| Kymco Cobra Racer | 77.6% | 1,352 | 13,930 mi | 28 yrs |
Compared to the Nissan Micra (71.4% pass rate) and the Nissan Qashqai (77.3% pass rate), the Nissan El Grand trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Nissan El Grand you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Nissan El GrandShould you buy a used Nissan El Grand?
The Nissan El Grand has an overall MOT pass rate of 69.2% across 1,968 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Nissan El Grand are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (87 recorded failures), steering rack gaiter split (77), and fog lamp not working (60). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Nissan El Grand owner drives around 5,063 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Nissan El Grand models stay on UK roads for around 29 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.