Nissan Elgrand (2003)
2003 Nissan Elgrand
CarHunch analysed 1,299 real MOT records for the 2003 Nissan Elgrand. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Nissan Elgrand passes its MOT first time only 75.3% of the time, which is 4.7 percentage points below the UK average—a modest but real reliability disadvantage. More concerning, nearly half of these vehicles (49.9%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, suggesting structural or safety issues that buyers should take seriously.
These Elgrands are running at around 109,000 miles on average, which is typical for their age, but they're racking up an average of 2.85 failures and 16 advisories per test—well above the norm for a vehicle of this mileage. Before buying, get a full pre-purchase inspection focusing on suspension, brakes, and chassis work, and budget for remedial work on any advisories flagged during your own MOT check.
What to check before buying a 2003 Nissan Elgrand
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 49.9% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Nissan Elgrand
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 1,282 | 75.3% | 2.84 |
| LPG (1%) | 11 | 72.4% | 3.64 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 3 | 70.5% | 3.33 |
| Gas (0%) | 1 | 66.7% | 2 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 58.8% | 7 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Nissan Elgrand vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2003 Nissan Elgrand vehicles fall between 83,155 and 135,304 miles.
2003 Nissan Elgrand — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 901 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 88% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Nissan Elgrand
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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41.9%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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39.8%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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36.7%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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36.4%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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35.6%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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34.9%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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27.1%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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24.1%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Nissan Elgrand?
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