2002 Nissan Elgrand 3.5L Petrol · NT52 VDG

The vehicle passed its most recent MOT on 2026-03-02 at 160,122 miles, but the test record reveals a concerning maintenance trend that is clearly worsening. While the tester passed the car, they flagged five advisories including severely worn front brake pads, slight play in both front anti-roll bar linkage ball joints, an ongoing front oil leak, and critically, a rear sub-frame that remains corroded. This follows a catastrophic failure on 2025-02-13 at 92,790 miles where the car failed on multiple structural and safety items, including fractured rear coil springs, extensively corroded brake pipes, and widespread structural corrosion. The fact that the sub-frame corrosion persists as an advisory over a year later, after such a severe failure, indicates the underlying rust problem is not being properly addressed and is actively compromising the vehicle's structural integrity. The recorded mileage pattern presents a significant anomaly that requires verification. The vehicle is 24 years old with an average annual mileage of approximately 6,672 miles, which is typical. However, the MOT history shows an implausible jump from 92,790 miles on 2025-02-13 to 149,399 miles on 2025-02-28—an increase of 56,609 miles in just 15 days. This is a clear data inconsistency, suggesting either a serious recording error in the official MOT database or potential mileage discrepancy. The subsequent tests in 2026 show a more plausible increase to 160,122 miles, but the buyer must independently verify the vehicle's true mileage and investigate the cause of the 2025 gap. A buyer must conduct a thorough in-person inspection focused on the recurring and serious faults documented. The rear sub-frame corrosion is the paramount concern; it must be examined for significant weakening or section loss, as the MOT history shows it has been flagged as corroded since at least 2024 and was described with "all attached components corroded" in 2025. The suspension requires immediate attention—the front anti-roll bar linkages have shown slight play since February 2026, and the 2025 failure cited excessively worn front suspension arm ball joints. The braking system also shows chronic issues, with thin front pads noted in the last two tests and a history of corroded brake hoses and pipes. The persistent front oil leak, while currently deemed not excessive, should be sourced to determine if it originates from a critical seal. Finally, the windscreen damage and inoperative registration plate lamp are minor but indicate a pattern of neglect towards basic upkeep.