2015 Nissan Elgrand: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 Nissan Elgrand?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 Nissan Elgrand than on all cars registered in 2015.

• Headlights6.7× usual
  Nissan Elgrand

  12% All 2015 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.6% of all 2015 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.

• Rear fog light19.2× usual
  Nissan Elgrand

  9.6% All 2015 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.5%, against 0.4% of all 2015 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 bearings11.6× usual
  Nissan Elgrand

  8.1% All 2015 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.3% of all 2015 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 joints7.1× usual
  Nissan Elgrand

  7.8% All 2015 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 0.4% of all 2015 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.

• Ball joint dust cover5.2× usual
  Nissan Elgrand

  6.8% All 2015 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.5% of all 2015 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 2015 Nissan Elgrand MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 Nissan Elgrand MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  37% 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
  34% 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
  33% 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
  29% 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
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  8% 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 engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2015 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 headlights? (Flagged at MOT 6.7× as often on the 2015 Nissan Elgrand as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the rear fog light? (Flagged at MOT 19.2× as often on the 2015 Nissan Elgrand as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the wheel bearings? (Flagged at MOT 11.6× as often on the 2015 Nissan Elgrand as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?