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Nissan Elgrand E50 (1st gen) (1997-2001) reliability

Not enough data

Nissan Elgrand E50 (1st gen) built before 2000: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Nissan Elgrand E50 (1st gen) models built before 2000 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Nissan Elgrand E50 (1st gen) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

1997-2001MPVPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 539 tests of Elgrand models registered 1997-2001.

E50 (1st gen) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
7429.7%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
13340.6%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
33237.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 24 years old.

How the Elgrand E50 (1st gen) compares

At each age below, see how the Elgrand E50 (1st gen) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 13,799 tests across 11 Nissan models, built before 2000 (over 25 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateNissan average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
7429.7%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
13340.6%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
33237.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Underbody / chassis corrosion

High priority

Get the car on a ramp or jack point and inspect sills, subframe mounts, and rear suspension mounting points.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Elgrand E50 (1st gen).

  1. 1

    Volkswagen Camper

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    11%
    Dangerous
    6.3%

    Lower fail rate: 28.0%, against 37.0% for the Nissan Elgrand E50 (1st gen), both built before 2000.

    1,483 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Nissan Elgrand name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

What has gone wrong on Elgrand E50 (1st gen) cars built before 2000

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 55 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
38%
Emissions
15%
Drivetrain
5%
Steering
2%

Wear items

Lighting
38%
Tyres
29%
Brakes
25%
E50 (1st gen) variants compared
All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Nissan Elgrands of this age

This list covers every Nissan Elgrand built before 2000, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the E50 (1st gen) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    32.1%
    Advisory: 125Fail: 54 (30% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    24.4%
    Advisory: 104Fail: 19 (15% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    17.0%
    Advisory: 87Fail: 5 (5% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension mounting area corroded, but not seriously

    16.7%
    Advisory: 42Fail: 63 (60% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Body structure corroded, but not seriously weakened

    12.8%
    Advisory: 50Fail: 42 (46% of the times it was found)

Based on 336 tests

Looking at a Nissan Elgrand E50 (1st gen) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Nissan Elgrand E50 (1st gen) (1997-2001) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 332 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 539 MOT tests on Nissan Elgrands first registered between 1997-2001. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.