2020 Nissan Elgrand — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,558 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Nissan Elgrand, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 77.6% was below the average for cars of a similar age (92.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.9% in the 150k+ group versus 9.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.3% | 473 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.7% | 310 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.5% | 231 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.3% | 189 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 144 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.8% | 98 |
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 | 267 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 150 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 129 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 121 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 117 |
| 6 | Wipers | 111 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 24.6% | 877 |
| 2 | Tyres | 23.1% | 820 |
| 3 | Suspension | 19.1% | 678 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.3% | 367 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.9% | 281 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.3% | 152 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 33 | 9.1% |
| 30-60k | 540 | 17.0% |
| 60-90k | 1,358 | 20.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,011 | 24.0% |
| 120-150k | 471 | 27.0% |
| 150k+ | 143 | 32.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 776 | 18.8% |
| 2022 | 817 | 22.1% |
| 2023 | 790 | 22.0% |
| 2024 | 594 | 25.9% |
| 2025 | 581 | 24.3% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Elgrand
Before buying a 2020 Nissan Elgrand, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.7% 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 (6.5% 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 2020 Nissan Elgrands pass their MOT?
77.6% of the 3,558 2020 Nissan Elgrand MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Nissan Elgrand?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.3% of tests, followed by suspension (8.7%).
Does the 2020 Elgrand get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.1% in the 0-30k band to 32.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,558 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.