2010 Nissan Elgrand — MOT failures & pass rate
3,757 MOT tests on the 2010 Nissan Elgrand are in this dataset, and 81.8% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail 26.5% of the time, so this is 8.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.6% of tests against 7.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, component mounting prescribed areas and position lamp — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 220 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 32.3% once past 150k — 4.0× the risk.
The petrol cars hold up better: 15.7% fail against 33.5% for diesel, a 17.8-point gap across 3,736 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 19.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.6% | 398 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.2% | 269 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.3% | 235 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.8% | 141 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.6% | 137 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.8% | 105 |
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 | 220 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 150 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 113 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 108 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 106 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 103 |
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 | 19.5% | 732 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.1% | 718 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.3% | 650 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 6.6% | 246 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.5% | 208 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.5% | 205 |
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 | 37 | 8.1% |
| 30-60k | 690 | 11.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,491 | 14.1% |
| 90-120k | 857 | 21.7% |
| 120-150k | 345 | 27.5% |
| 150k+ | 331 | 32.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,195 | 15.7% |
| Diesel | 541 | 33.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 461 | 19.5% |
| 2022 | 632 | 16.6% |
| 2023 | 827 | 18.5% |
| 2024 | 882 | 16.8% |
| 2025 | 955 | 19.5% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Elgrand
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.2% 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 (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 2010 Nissan Elgrands pass their MOT?
81.8% of the 3,757 2010 Nissan Elgrand MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Nissan Elgrand?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.6% of tests, followed by suspension (7.2%).
Does the 2010 Elgrand get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.1% in the 0-30k band to 32.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,757 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.