Used car guide

2005 Nissan Elgrand: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Nissan Elgrand first registered in 2005: we looked at the 3,909 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,909MOTs of 2005 cars, done in 2023–2025
66%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 57%)
4,400typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for brake pads

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Nissan Elgrand?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Nissan Elgrand than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Brake pads2× usual
    Nissan Elgrand
    15.6% All 2005 cars
    8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 2% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Rear fog light6.3× usual
    Nissan Elgrand
    8.2% All 2005 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.9%, against 1.2% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Link ball joint covers1.7× usual
    Nissan Elgrand
    5.2% All 2005 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.7% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 1.2% here, against 14.9% of all 2005 cars. Engine oil leaks: 3.9% here, against 13.5% of all 2005 cars.

Common 2005 Nissan Elgrand MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Nissan Elgrand MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    29% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    29% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    26% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    26% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Steering
    6% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 Nissan Elgrand

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2005 Nissan Elgrand as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the rear fog light? (Flagged at MOT 6.3× as often on the 2005 Nissan Elgrand as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2005 Nissan Elgrand as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Nissan Elgrand?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Nissan Elgrand compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
20211,377Brakes 31%
20201,528Brakes 33%
20191,385Brakes 33%
20181,265Suspension 34%
20171,682Suspension 36%
20161,417Lights and electrics 40%
20151,110Suspension 37%
2014705Suspension 32%
2013732Suspension 28%
2012967Suspension 25%
20111,397Suspension 27%
20102,320Brakes 23%
20092,047Brakes 22%
20084,454Brakes 24%
20074,413Suspension 26%
20063,324Suspension 29%
20042,277Brakes 33%
20031,494Suspension 38%
20021,095Brakes 37%
2001182Lights and electrics 41%
2000197Suspension 47%
1999227Suspension 47%
1998158Suspension 60%
1997122Suspension 57%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Nissan Elgrand cars first registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score