2012 Nissan Elgrand — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2012 Nissan Elgrand passed 81.3% of its 1,519 recorded MOT tests. Against MPVs of a similar age (23.4% fail rate), the 2012 Elgrand comes out 4.7pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.7% of tests against 7.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, headlamp and position lamp — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 98 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.7% in the 0-30k band and 34.2% in the 150k+ band, a 24.5-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 23.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.6% in 2021 to 15.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 178 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.1% | 108 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.6% | 100 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.5% | 54 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 52 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.8% | 43 |
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 | 98 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 59 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 46 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 45 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 43 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 35 |
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 | 23.3% | 354 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.0% | 274 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.8% | 271 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.0% | 122 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.9% | 104 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.7% | 101 |
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 | 9.7% |
| 30-60k | 247 | 10.5% |
| 60-90k | 530 | 13.4% |
| 90-120k | 330 | 19.4% |
| 120-150k | 179 | 27.9% |
| 150k+ | 196 | 34.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,336 | 17.4% |
| Diesel | 170 | 28.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 179 | 29.6% |
| 2022 | 236 | 24.1% |
| 2023 | 348 | 16.1% |
| 2024 | 344 | 15.7% |
| 2025 | 412 | 15.5% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Elgrand
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.1% 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 (6.6% 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 2012 Nissan Elgrands pass their MOT?
81.3% of the 1,519 2012 Nissan Elgrand MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Nissan Elgrand?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.7% of tests, followed by suspension (7.1%).
Does the 2012 Elgrand get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.7% in the 0-30k band to 34.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,519 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.