Used car guide

2018 Nissan Elgrand: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Nissan Elgrands, from 376 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 376 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

376MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
14,000typical miles a year
10.9×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Nissan Elgrands than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Headlights10.9× usual
    Nissan Elgrand
    12% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 1% of all 2018 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints16.4× usual
    Nissan Elgrand
    8.2% All 2018 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 0.2% of all 2018 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.

By area

The share of 2018 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.

  • Tyres
    31% 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
    31% 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
    31% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Steering
    6% 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.

Looking at a Nissan Elgrand?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021408Brakes 35%
2020466Suspension 34%
2019412Suspension 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%
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 2018 Nissan Elgrands registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score