Used car guide

2002 Nissan Elgrand: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Nissan Elgrands, from 430 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 430 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

430MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
4,500typical miles a year
6.4×the usual rate for rear fog light

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Nissan Elgrands than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Rear fog light6.4× usual
    Nissan Elgrand
    10.2% All 2002 cars
    1.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10%, against 1.5% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Brake pads2.3× usual
    Nissan Elgrand
    14.4% All 2002 cars
    6.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.4% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints3.1× usual
    Nissan Elgrand
    9.3% All 2002 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 6.7% here, against 17.7% of all 2002 cars. Engine oil leaks: 8.1% here, against 17.1% of all 2002 cars.

By area

The share of 2002 Nissan Elgrand MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    37% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    35% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    34% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    30% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    12% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Nissan Elgrand?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021408Brakes 35%
2020466Suspension 34%
2019412Suspension 35%
2018376Suspension 35%
2017479Suspension 38%
2016408Suspension 41%
2015314Suspension 37%
2014243Suspension 28%
2013271Suspension 26%
2012378Suspension 28%
2011489Suspension 31%
2010844Suspension 24%
2009807Brakes 22%
20081,657Brakes 27%
20071,609Suspension 28%
20061,211Suspension 30%
20051,432Suspension 32%
2004836Suspension 35%
2003562Suspension 40%
1999106Suspension 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Nissan Elgrands registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score