2021 Nissan Elgrand — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,083 MOT tests, the 2021 Nissan Elgrand recorded an 80.2% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail 10.6% of the time, so this is 9.2pp worse 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 12.0% of tests against 8.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, linkage ball joint dust cover and brake pads — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 206 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.1% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 24.7% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 20.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 12.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 370 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.0% | 245 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.9% | 182 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.6% | 142 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.9% | 120 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.2% | 67 |
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 | 206 |
| 2 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 120 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 118 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 115 |
| 5 | Wipers | 98 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 88 |
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 | 20.0% | 616 |
| 2 | Tyres | 19.1% | 590 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.8% | 517 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 265 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.4% | 197 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.6% | 112 |
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 | 550 | 15.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,355 | 19.3% |
| 90-120k | 788 | 23.4% |
| 120-150k | 274 | 21.2% |
| 150k+ | 89 | 24.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 704 | 12.5% |
| 2022 | 663 | 18.6% |
| 2023 | 698 | 22.8% |
| 2024 | 508 | 22.4% |
| 2025 | 510 | 24.9% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Elgrand
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.0% 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 (5.9% 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 2021 Nissan Elgrands pass their MOT?
80.2% of the 3,083 2021 Nissan Elgrand MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Nissan Elgrand?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.0% of tests, followed by suspension (8.0%).
Does the 2021 Elgrand get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.1% in the 30-60k band to 24.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,083 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.