2000 Nissan Elgrand — MOT failures & pass rate
331 MOT tests on the 2000 Nissan Elgrand are in this dataset, and 69.5% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail at 30.0%, so the 2000 Elgrand sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.2%) and suspension (14.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, steering rack and component mounting prescribed areas — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 24 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 27.3% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 34.5% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 40.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 19.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 36.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 57 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.8% | 49 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.7% | 42 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.1% | 30 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.5% | 25 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.7% | 22 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 24 |
| 2 | Steering rack | 24 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 21 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 21 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 21 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 21 |
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 | 40.2% | 133 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.6% | 108 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.9% | 89 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 22.4% | 74 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.1% | 40 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 40 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 33 | 27.3% |
| 60-90k | 52 | 32.7% |
| 90-120k | 67 | 25.4% |
| 120-150k | 79 | 32.9% |
| 150k+ | 87 | 34.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 183 | 27.9% |
| Diesel | 148 | 33.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 36 | 19.4% |
| 2022 | 37 | 27.0% |
| 2023 | 39 | 35.9% |
| 2024 | 108 | 26.9% |
| 2025 | 111 | 36.9% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Elgrand
On a 2000 Elgrand, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.8% 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.
- Brakes (12.7% 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 2000 Nissan Elgrands pass their MOT?
69.5% of the 331 2000 Nissan Elgrand MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Nissan Elgrand?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.2% of tests, followed by suspension (14.8%).
Does the 2000 Elgrand get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.3% in the 30-60k band to 34.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 331 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.