1999 Nissan Elgrand — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1999 Nissan Elgrand passed 70.0% of its 380 recorded MOT tests. MPVs of a similar age fail at 30.2%, so the 1999 Elgrand sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (15.5%) and lighting & signalling (15.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, rear fog lamp and rbt (sp) — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 77 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 90-120k one: 37.0% versus 25.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 34.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 26.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 35.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.5% | 59 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 15.3% | 58 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.5% | 55 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.3% | 39 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.4% | 28 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.8% | 26 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 77 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 29 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 27 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 27 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 26 |
| 6 | Steering rack | 23 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 34.0% | 129 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.8% | 117 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.7% | 94 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.3% | 81 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.8% | 79 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 46 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 90-120k | 108 | 25.9% |
| 120-150k | 67 | 34.3% |
| 150k+ | 127 | 37.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 203 | 30.5% |
| Petrol | 177 | 29.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 41 | 26.8% |
| 2022 | 43 | 27.9% |
| 2023 | 34 | 17.6% |
| 2024 | 132 | 29.5% |
| 2025 | 130 | 35.4% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Elgrand
On a 1999 Elgrand, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (15.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (15.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.5% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1999 Nissan Elgrands pass their MOT?
70.0% of the 380 1999 Nissan Elgrand MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Nissan Elgrand?
Suspension, recorded in 15.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (15.3%).
Does the 1999 Elgrand get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.9% in the 90-120k band to 37.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 380 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.