Used car guide

2016 Nissan Elgrand: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Nissan Elgrands, from 408 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 408 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

408MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
11,900typical miles a year
8.4×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Nissan Elgrands than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Headlights8.4× usual
    Nissan Elgrand
    14.2% All 2016 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.4% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Wheel bearings21.7× usual
    Nissan Elgrand
    13% All 2016 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 0.2% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Rear fog light22.7× usual
    Nissan Elgrand
    9.1% All 2016 cars
    0.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 0.3% of all 2016 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints7.6× usual
    Nissan Elgrand
    7.6% All 2016 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 0.4% of all 2016 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.

  • Sidelights5.6× usual
    Nissan Elgrand
    7.8% All 2016 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.9%, against 1.2% of all 2016 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.

By area

The share of 2016 Nissan Elgrand MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    41% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    39% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    38% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    10% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • 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%
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%
2002430Suspension 37%
1999106Suspension 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 Nissan Elgrands registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score