2007 Nissan Elgrand — MOT failures & pass rate
7,622 MOT tests on the 2007 Nissan Elgrand are in this dataset, and 79.8% of them passed. Against MPVs of a similar age (29.5% fail rate), the 2007 Elgrand comes out 9.4pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.3%) and suspension (9.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, position lamp and brake pads — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 447 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.3% in the 0-30k band and 29.8% in the 150k+ band, a 21.5-point spread — more than double.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 20.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 18.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.3% | 858 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.0% | 685 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.3% | 476 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.5% | 341 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 307 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.2% | 241 |
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 | 447 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 256 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 249 |
| 4 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 242 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 221 |
| 6 | Wipers | 197 |
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 | 20.3% | 1,547 |
| 2 | Tyres | 19.8% | 1,508 |
| 3 | Suspension | 19.1% | 1,457 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.5% | 649 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.0% | 456 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.1% | 313 |
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 | 109 | 8.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,438 | 12.6% |
| 60-90k | 3,041 | 18.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,743 | 24.6% |
| 120-150k | 755 | 26.9% |
| 150k+ | 534 | 29.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 7,140 | 19.3% |
| Diesel | 461 | 33.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 965 | 18.6% |
| 2022 | 1,315 | 19.1% |
| 2023 | 1,551 | 19.8% |
| 2024 | 1,854 | 20.2% |
| 2025 | 1,937 | 22.0% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Elgrand
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.0% 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 (6.3% 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 2007 Nissan Elgrands pass their MOT?
79.8% of the 7,622 2007 Nissan Elgrand MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Nissan Elgrand?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.3% of tests, followed by suspension (9.0%).
Does the 2007 Elgrand get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.3% in the 0-30k band to 29.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,622 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.