2002 Nissan Elgrand — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Nissan Elgrand passed 73.7% of its 2,044 recorded MOT tests. Against MPVs of a similar age (29.5% fail rate), the 2002 Elgrand comes out 3.2pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.0%) and suspension (12.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, headlamp aim and catalyst emissions — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 150 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.9% in the 0-30k band and 26.7% in the 150k+ band, a 13.8-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 28.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 22.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 306 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.5% | 255 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.3% | 190 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.7% | 116 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 104 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.0% | 103 |
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 | 150 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 114 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 106 |
| 4 | Joints | 82 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 77 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 72 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 28.6% | 584 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.1% | 554 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.1% | 493 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 276 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.4% | 193 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.4% | 130 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 31 | 12.9% |
| 30-60k | 293 | 21.5% |
| 60-90k | 605 | 26.3% |
| 90-120k | 541 | 27.2% |
| 120-150k | 293 | 30.7% |
| 150k+ | 281 | 26.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,010 | 26.2% |
| Diesel | 34 | 35.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 290 | 22.4% |
| 2022 | 327 | 27.2% |
| 2023 | 305 | 24.3% |
| 2024 | 575 | 27.3% |
| 2025 | 547 | 28.0% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Elgrand
On a 2002 Elgrand, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.5% 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.
- Brakes (9.3% 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 2002 Nissan Elgrands pass their MOT?
73.7% of the 2,044 2002 Nissan Elgrand MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Nissan Elgrand?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.0% of tests, followed by suspension (12.5%).
Does the 2002 Elgrand get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.9% in the 0-30k band to 26.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,044 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.