2013 Nissan Elgrand petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Nissan Elgrand petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Nissan Elgrand petrol than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Rear fog light11× usual
  Nissan Elgrand

  6.6% All 2013 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 0.6% of all 2013 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.

• Wheel bearings3.7× usual
  Nissan Elgrand

  4.4% All 2013 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.5% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2.3× usual
  Nissan Elgrand

  4.4% All 2013 cars

  1.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.7% of all 2013 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 2013 Nissan Elgrand petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Nissan Elgrand petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  26% 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
  20% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  20% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  6% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

• 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 2013 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 11× as often on the 2013 Nissan Elgrand petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the wheel bearings? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2013 Nissan Elgrand petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2013 Nissan Elgrand petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?