2014 Nissan Elgrand petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2014 Nissan Elgrand petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2014 Nissan Elgrand petrol than on all cars registered in 2014.

• Rear fog light13.6× usual
  Nissan Elgrand

  6.8% All 2014 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 0.5% of all 2014 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 bearings6.9× usual
  Nissan Elgrand

  6.9% All 2014 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.4% of all 2014 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.

• Headlights3.3× usual
  Nissan Elgrand

  8.6% All 2014 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 2.2% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints17.7× usual
  Nissan Elgrand

  5.3% All 2014 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.1% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Anti-roll bar link joints4× usual
  Nissan Elgrand

  5.6% All 2014 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.5% of all 2014 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 2014 Nissan Elgrand petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2014 Nissan Elgrand petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  32% 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
  30% 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
  27% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  9% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  7% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2014 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 13.6× as often on the 2014 Nissan Elgrand petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the wheel bearings? (Flagged at MOT 6.9× as often on the 2014 Nissan Elgrand petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2014 Nissan Elgrand petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?