2008 Nissan Elgrand 3.5L Petrol · LN08 ABZ

The mechanical profile of this 2021 Nissan Elgrand is dominated by a persistent pattern of rear brake and parking brake issues, accompanied by a failure in 2023 that included a dangerously defective parking brake and a leaking rear shock absorber. The most recent test on 26 November 2025 produced a pass, but not before a same-day failure for an insufficient washer supply, and the test still carried advisories for thin rear brake pads, a worn and pitted nearside rear brake disc, and low brake fluid. Earlier tests reinforce the trend: in 2024, the vehicle was flagged for rear brake pad wear, a pitted rear brake disc, a nail in an offside rear tyre, and edge-worn tyres at both the rear inner and offside front outer positions. A November 2022 test resulted in a failure with a dangerous parking brake efficiency reading below 50 percent and an inoperative nearside rear parking brake, issues that recurred in a dangerous category failure in November 2023 alongside a seriously leaking nearside rear shock absorber. Across six recorded tests since 2021, only one has returned with no advisories whatsoever, indicating a track record where rear axle components, particularly the braking system, have required repeated attention. With 144,963 miles recorded on a five-year-old vehicle, this Elgrand has accumulated approximately 28,993 miles per year, which is a high annual figure for a vehicle of this age and points to sustained long-distance or commercial-style usage. There are no extended gaps between test dates, suggesting the vehicle has been in regular service rather than laid up, which means wear-related items such as suspension consumables, braking components, tyres, and drivetrain mounts will have been subjected to continuous use. While the consistent testing history is helpful for transparency, the high mileage combined with the recurring brake and suspension advisories is consistent with a vehicle that has experienced significant mechanical workload on its consumable components. Given the specific components flagged in the MOT record, a prospective buyer should pay close attention to the rear braking system during any inspection. The repeated advisories for worn rear pads and a pitted rear disc indicate that the offside and nearside rear calipers, sliders, and handbrake mechanism should be examined for binding or seizure, and the rear brake discs measured for remaining thickness and run-out. On a test drive, listen for any scraping or grinding from the rear wheels, particularly under light braking, and check for pulling to one side, which would suggest a binding caliper or uneven pad wear. The parking brake should be tested on an incline, and the lever travel checked for excessive slack, as the 2022 and 2023 dangerous failures for parking brake efficiency suggest the handbrake cable, rear caliper actuators, or drum/shoe assemblies may not have been fully rectified. The nearside rear shock absorber that was leaking in 2023 warrants a road test over uneven surfaces to detect any remaining knocking, clonking, or excessive rear axle bounce, which would indicate worn top mounts, suspension bushes, or coil springs that have fatigued under the high mileage. The tyre wear pattern recorded across multiple tests, with edge wear flagged on both front outer edges in 2023 and on rear inner and offside front positions in 2024, points to possible wheel alignment or suspension geometry issues that should not be ignored. A buyer should inspect all four tyres for uneven shoulder wear, which can indicate worn front suspension components such as track rod ends, wishbone bushes, or top mounts. The 2023 failure for an ineffective front wiper and the 2025 failure for insufficient washer fluid suggest that basic ancillary maintenance items may have been deferred, so all washers, wiper blades, and general under-bonnet condition should be verified. The damaged offside rear light cluster flagged in 2025 should be checked for water ingress, and the low brake fluid advisory noted on the same test indicates a need to inspect the system for any external leaks from callipers, flexible hoses, or the master cylinder before purchase.