Used car guide

2004 Nissan Elgrand: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Nissan Elgrands, from 836 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

836MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
4,400typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Nissan Elgrands than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Brake pads2.2× usual
    Nissan Elgrand
    16% All 2004 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.7% of all 2004 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.

  • Rear fog light5.4× usual
    Nissan Elgrand
    8.1% All 2004 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.8%, against 1.5% of all 2004 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.

  • Link ball joint covers2.3× usual
    Nissan Elgrand
    6.3% All 2004 cars
    2.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.5% of all 2004 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

Engine oil leaks: 5.1% here, against 15.8% of all 2004 cars. Coil springs: 2.6% here, against 10.9% of all 2004 cars.

By area

The share of 2004 Nissan Elgrand MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    35% 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
    34% 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.

  • Tyres
    32% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    32% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Steering
    8% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at a Nissan Elgrand?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2010844Brakes 24%
2009807Brakes 22%
20081,657Brakes 27%
20071,609Suspension 28%
20061,211Tyres 30%
20051,432Brakes 32%
2003562Suspension 40%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Nissan Elgrands registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score