2016 Nissan Elgrand — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,443 MOT tests, the 2016 Nissan Elgrand recorded a 72.0% pass rate. That is 13.2 percentage points worse than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 14.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.7% of tests against 12.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, catalyst emissions and headlamp aim — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 301 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 22.4% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 32.0% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 29.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 27.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.7% | 575 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.8% | 440 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.4% | 358 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.9% | 203 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.9% | 202 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.7% | 163 |
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 | 301 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 231 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 194 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 164 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 157 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 145 |
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 | 29.7% | 1,024 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.3% | 974 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.7% | 851 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.4% | 531 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.2% | 315 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.5% | 257 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 192 | 22.4% |
| 60-90k | 830 | 26.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,064 | 28.3% |
| 120-150k | 659 | 27.5% |
| 150k+ | 675 | 32.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,347 | 28.1% |
| Diesel | 96 | 26.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 798 | 27.4% |
| 2022 | 785 | 26.4% |
| 2023 | 799 | 29.4% |
| 2024 | 533 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 528 | 29.2% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Elgrand
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.8% 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 (10.4% 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 2016 Nissan Elgrands pass their MOT?
72.0% of the 3,443 2016 Nissan Elgrand MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Nissan Elgrand?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.7% of tests, followed by suspension (12.8%).
Does the 2016 Elgrand get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.4% in the 30-60k band to 32.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,443 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.