2017 Nissan Elgrand — MOT failures & pass rate
3,989 MOT tests on the 2017 Nissan Elgrand are in this dataset, and 74.0% of them passed. Against MPVs of a similar age (13.2% fail rate), the 2017 Elgrand comes out 12.8pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.4%) and suspension (11.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, headlamp aim and brake pads — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 299 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.9% in the 30-60k band and 29.3% in the 150k+ band, a 10.4-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 26.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 24.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 576 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.8% | 471 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.9% | 357 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.8% | 231 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.6% | 182 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.0% | 160 |
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 | 299 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 219 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 176 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 171 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 167 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 159 |
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 | 26.4% | 1,051 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.8% | 1,029 |
| 3 | Suspension | 25.2% | 1,005 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 549 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.0% | 360 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.0% | 241 |
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 | 313 | 18.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,029 | 25.5% |
| 90-120k | 1,304 | 26.2% |
| 120-150k | 757 | 27.2% |
| 150k+ | 553 | 29.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 901 | 24.4% |
| 2022 | 924 | 25.5% |
| 2023 | 943 | 27.2% |
| 2024 | 612 | 25.8% |
| 2025 | 609 | 27.4% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Elgrand
On a 2017 Elgrand, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.8% 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 (8.9% 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 2017 Nissan Elgrands pass their MOT?
74.0% of the 3,989 2017 Nissan Elgrand MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Nissan Elgrand?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.4% of tests, followed by suspension (11.8%).
Does the 2017 Elgrand get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.9% in the 30-60k band to 29.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,989 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.