2013 Nissan Elgrand — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,324 MOT tests analysed for the 2013 Nissan Elgrand, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 77.4% was below the average for cars of a similar age (80.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.9% in the 150k+ group versus 12.2% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 179 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.8% | 143 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.5% | 99 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.9% | 52 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.9% | 52 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.9% | 52 |
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 | 91 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 58 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 56 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 56 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 47 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 41 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 28.8% | 382 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.6% | 299 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.8% | 262 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.3% | 123 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.3% | 110 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.7% | 88 |
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 | 180 | 12.2% |
| 60-90k | 350 | 15.7% |
| 90-120k | 311 | 23.5% |
| 120-150k | 241 | 29.5% |
| 150k+ | 228 | 32.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,141 | 20.9% |
| Diesel | 182 | 33.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 233 | 26.6% |
| 2022 | 232 | 27.2% |
| 2023 | 279 | 25.4% |
| 2024 | 280 | 17.5% |
| 2025 | 300 | 18.0% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Elgrand
Before buying a 2013 Nissan Elgrand, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.8% 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 (7.5% 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 2013 Nissan Elgrands pass their MOT?
77.4% of the 1,324 2013 Nissan Elgrand MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Nissan Elgrand?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.5% of tests, followed by suspension (10.8%).
Does the 2013 Elgrand get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.2% in the 30-60k band to 32.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,324 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.