2003 Nissan Elgrand — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,812 MOT tests, the 2003 Nissan Elgrand recorded a 73.7% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail 29.8% of the time, so this is 3.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.0%) and suspension (13.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, joints and headlamp aim — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 194 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.3% in the 0-30k band and 32.1% in the 150k+ band, a 17.9-point spread — more than double.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 28.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 23.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 393 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.2% | 372 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.8% | 248 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.8% | 163 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 130 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.9% | 110 |
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 | 194 |
| 2 | Joints | 139 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 136 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 125 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 124 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 123 |
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 | 28.0% | 787 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.4% | 769 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.2% | 709 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 416 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.1% | 255 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.9% | 193 |
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 | 35 | 14.3% |
| 30-60k | 382 | 21.2% |
| 60-90k | 875 | 24.8% |
| 90-120k | 751 | 28.4% |
| 120-150k | 457 | 26.7% |
| 150k+ | 308 | 32.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 444 | 23.4% |
| 2022 | 454 | 22.9% |
| 2023 | 491 | 27.5% |
| 2024 | 725 | 28.4% |
| 2025 | 698 | 27.2% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Elgrand
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.2% 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 (8.8% 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 2003 Nissan Elgrands pass their MOT?
73.7% of the 2,812 2003 Nissan Elgrand MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Nissan Elgrand?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.0% of tests, followed by suspension (13.2%).
Does the 2003 Elgrand get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.3% in the 0-30k band to 32.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,812 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.