2012 Nissan Elgrand petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Nissan Elgrand petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Nissan Elgrand petrol than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Rear fog light10.3× usual
  Nissan Elgrand

  7.2% All 2012 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 0.6% of all 2012 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.

• Ball joint dust cover2.6× usual
  Nissan Elgrand

  6.4% All 2012 cars

  2.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 1.1% of all 2012 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.

Common 2012 Nissan Elgrand petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Nissan Elgrand petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  23% 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
  18% 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.

• Tyres
  17% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  17% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  5% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  5% 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 2012 Nissan Elgrand petrol

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

1. Any recent work on the rear fog light? (Flagged at MOT 10.3× as often on the 2012 Nissan Elgrand petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2012 Nissan Elgrand petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?