2018 Nissan Elgrand — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,974 MOT tests, the 2018 Nissan Elgrand recorded a 74.7% pass rate. That is 13.4 percentage points worse than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 11.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.0%) and suspension (10.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, brake pads and position lamp — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 196 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.9% in the 30-60k band and 31.9% in the 150k+ band, a 12.0-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.6% 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 | 13.0% | 387 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.5% | 312 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.6% | 226 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.0% | 178 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.8% | 112 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.7% | 111 |
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 | 196 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 139 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 129 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 122 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 120 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 114 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 25.6% | 760 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.1% | 745 |
| 3 | Suspension | 24.4% | 726 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 377 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.6% | 255 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.8% | 143 |
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 | 347 | 19.9% |
| 60-90k | 896 | 23.8% |
| 90-120k | 902 | 27.1% |
| 120-150k | 507 | 25.8% |
| 150k+ | 292 | 31.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 676 | 24.4% |
| 2022 | 664 | 23.6% |
| 2023 | 686 | 26.7% |
| 2024 | 489 | 26.8% |
| 2025 | 459 | 25.3% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Elgrand
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.5% 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 (7.6% 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 2018 Nissan Elgrands pass their MOT?
74.7% of the 2,974 2018 Nissan Elgrand MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Nissan Elgrand?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.0% of tests, followed by suspension (10.5%).
Does the 2018 Elgrand get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.9% in the 30-60k band to 31.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,974 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.