Used car guide

2008 Nissan Elgrand diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Nissan Elgrand first registered in 2008 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 185 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 185 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

185MOTs of 2008 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
51%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
9,000typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Nissan Elgrand diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Nissan Elgrand diesel than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.2× usual
    Nissan Elgrand
    29.2% All 2008 cars
    9.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 1.7% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings5.7× usual
    Nissan Elgrand
    18.9% All 2008 cars
    3.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.9%, against 1.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 2008 Nissan Elgrand diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Nissan Elgrand diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    54% 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.

  • Brakes
    49% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    37% 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
    22% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    22% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    17% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Nissan Elgrand diesel

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

  1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2008 Nissan Elgrand diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 5.7× as often on the 2008 Nissan Elgrand diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. 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%
20074,413Suspension 26%
20063,324Suspension 29%
20053,909Brakes 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 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score