Nissan Elgrand Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Nissan Elgrand car check
Is the Nissan Elgrand reliable? We analysed 136,948 real MOT tests across 17,589 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Nissan Elgrand? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Nissan Elgrand is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include steering rack gaiter split, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Nissan Elgrand.
Nissan Elgrand Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Nissan Elgrand. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Nissan Elgrand MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Nissan Elgrand to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Nissan Elgrand Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Nissan Elgrand fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Nissan Elgrand Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Nissan Elgrand models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Nissan Elgrand Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Nissan Elgrand owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Nissan Elgrand MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Nissan Elgrand year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,017 | 76.5% | 80,839 | 104,451 | 129,663 |
| 2020 | 3,927 | 76.5% | 83,040 | 107,865 | 133,414 |
| 2019 | 4,044 | 76.7% | 80,985 | 108,405 | 135,255 |
| 2018 | 4,228 | 75.3% | 79,300 | 112,304 | 138,884 |
| 2017 | 6,426 | 73.5% | 87,572 | 114,615 | 143,029 |
| 2016 | 6,328 | 72.0% | 85,031 | 115,301 | 146,774 |
| 2015 | 4,861 | 71.8% | 84,533 | 112,843 | 144,850 |
| 2014 | 2,997 | 74.5% | 84,044 | 112,101 | 147,590 |
| 2013 | 2,648 | 74.1% | 82,540 | 111,597 | 148,174 |
| 2012 | 2,734 | 75.5% | 75,605 | 103,322 | 136,793 |
| 2011 | 4,816 | 73.9% | 83,293 | 112,808 | 147,640 |
| 2010 | 6,676 | 75.1% | 83,247 | 108,826 | 141,472 |
| 2009 | 5,176 | 75.7% | 79,040 | 104,277 | 133,242 |
| 2008 | 11,700 | 75.3% | 82,886 | 109,794 | 139,792 |
| 2007 | 13,339 | 74.3% | 82,658 | 109,139 | 138,907 |
| 2006 | 8,963 | 75.6% | 78,373 | 103,775 | 131,411 |
| 2005 | 11,583 | 75.5% | 80,534 | 105,417 | 132,880 |
| 2004 | 8,141 | 75.1% | 78,644 | 104,907 | 132,900 |
| 2003 | 6,553 | 72.7% | 81,713 | 109,562 | 139,261 |
| 2002 | 5,719 | 71.4% | 81,589 | 108,582 | 141,028 |
How Long Does a Nissan Elgrand Last?
Based on 17,589 Nissan Elgrand vehicles on UK roads.
Nissan Elgrand Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Nissan Elgrand 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 Elgrand
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
76.7% MOT pass rate from 4,044 tests
64.8% MOT pass rate from 2,881 tests
The best year to buy a used Nissan Elgrand is 2019, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.7% across 4,044 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 64.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Nissan Elgrand Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Elgrand THIS CAR | 73.9% | 136,948 | 109,787 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 |
| BMW K Series | 89.4% | 148,722 | 30,392 mi | 42 yrs |
Compared to the Nissan Micra (71.4% pass rate) and the Nissan Qashqai (77.3% pass rate), the Nissan Elgrand sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Nissan Elgrand 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 ElgrandShould you buy a used Nissan Elgrand?
The Nissan Elgrand has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.9% across 136,948 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Nissan Elgrand are steering rack gaiter split (1,720 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1,283), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (1,279). 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.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Nissan Elgrand with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Nissan Elgrand owner drives around 5,309 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 Elgrand 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.