At a Glance
The Nissan Elgrand has 12 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the E51 (2002-2010) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 96K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Nissan Elgrand common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Nissan Elgrand generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Nissan Elgrand Generations
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Most Common Nissan Elgrand MOT Failures
Every reason Nissan Elgrand vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 11.96% |
| 2 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.86% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 5.49% |
| 4 | Ball joint dust cover split | 5.09% |
| 5 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 4.91% |
| 6 | Brake pads or linings worn | 4.87% |
| 7 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 4.83% |
| 8 | Position lamp not working | 4.06% |
| 9 | Number plate lamp not working | 3.83% |
| 10 | Driveshaft fault | 3.70% |
| 11 | Headlamp fault | 3.11% |
| 12 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 2.87% |
| 13 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.71% |
| 14 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 2.46% |
| 15 | Stop lamp not working | 1.92% |
| 16 | Steering rack fault | 1.91% |
| 17 | Fog lamp not working | 1.88% |
| 18 | Track rod end worn | 1.64% |
| 19 | Front lamp not working | 1.61% |
| 20 | Wheel bearing worn | 1.57% |
| 21 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.35% |
| 22 | Rear fog lamp not working | 1.24% |
| 23 | Battery loose or leaking | 1.18% |
| 24 | Parking brake condition | 1.10% |
| 25 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.10% |
| 26 | Exhaust system fault | 1.06% |
| 27 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 1.04% |
| 28 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.99% |
| 29 | Headlamp aim defect | 0.93% |
| 30 | Brake disc or drum worn | 0.92% |
| 31 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.84% |
| 32 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.83% |
| 33 | Seat belt condition | 0.66% |
| 34 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.66% |
| 35 | Indicator fault | 0.64% |
| 36 | Chassis condition | 0.62% |
| 37 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.47% |
| 38 | Horn not working | 0.46% |
| 39 | Brake lever fault | 0.40% |
| 40 | ABS fault | 0.38% |
| 41 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.37% |
| 42 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.36% |
| 43 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.35% |
| 44 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.31% |
| 45 | Front suspension fault | 0.31% |
| 46 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.31% |
| 47 | Airbag warning light on | 0.28% |
| 48 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.26% |
| 49 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.25% |
| 50 | Rear lamp not working | 0.23% |
| 51 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.19% |
| 52 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.18% |
| 53 | Brake pedal fault | 0.18% |
| 54 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.17% |
| 55 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.15% |
| 56 | Brake caliper fault | 0.15% |
| 57 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.14% |
| 58 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.13% |
| 59 | Spare wheel fault | 0.12% |
| 60 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.12% |
| 61 | Propshaft fault | 0.12% |
| 62 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.11% |
| 63 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.11% |
| 64 | Steering lock fault | 0.11% |
| 65 | Rear suspension fault | 0.10% |
| 66 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.09% |
| 67 | Electrical switch fault | 0.08% |
| 68 | Passenger seat fault | 0.08% |
| 69 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.07% |
| 70 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.07% |
| 71 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.07% |
| 72 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.06% |
| 73 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.06% |
| 74 | Engine oil leak | 0.06% |
| 75 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.06% |
| 76 | Brake fluid leak | 0.05% |
| 77 | Power steering ram fault | 0.05% |
| 78 | Drag link end worn | 0.05% |
| 79 | Steering arm worn | 0.05% |
| 80 | Driver door fault | 0.04% |
| 81 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.04% |
| 82 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 83 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.04% |
| 84 | Indicator warning light fault | 0.04% |
| 85 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.03% |
| 86 | Steering free play excessive | 0.03% |
| 87 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.03% |
| 88 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.03% |
| 89 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.02% |
| 90 | Speedometer fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 92 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Towbar fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 96 | Hydraulic fluid leak | 0.02% |
| 97 | Main beam warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Universal joint worn | 0.02% |
| 99 | Exhaust leak | 0.02% |
| 100 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 101 | Brake valve fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.01% |
| 103 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.01% |
| 104 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.01% |
| 105 | Driver seat fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 107 | Power steering pump fault | 0.01% |
| 108 | Body security fault | 0.01% |
| 109 | Mirror or camera fault | 0.01% |
| 110 | Front passenger door fault | 0.01% |
| 111 | Hazard warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 112 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 113 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 115 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 116 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 118 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 120 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 121 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 122 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 123 | Electronic stability control fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 126 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 129 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 131 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 132 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | <0.01% |
| 134 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 135 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 136 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 138 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 139 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 140 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 143 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 144 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 145 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 146 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 150 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 152 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 153 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 154 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 158 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 159 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 160 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 161 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 162 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Nissan Elgrand MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Nissan Elgrand, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Nissan Elgrand problems?
Based on analysis of 96K Nissan Elgrand MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 12 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Rear fog lamp not working". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Nissan Elgrand generation has the most problems?
The Nissan Elgrand E51 (2002-2010) (2002–2010) has the highest number of identified common problems (12). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Nissan Elgrand?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Nissan Elgrand owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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