2008 Nissan Elgrand 2.5L Petrol · WH08 AEJ

The Nissan Elgrand holds a current MOT valid until March 2027, having passed its most recent test on 23 March 2026 at 126,086 miles. The maintenance trend is broadly stable, though it reveals a pattern of recurring minor defects rather than consistently clean passes. The same test date shows a failed attempt followed by a pass on the same day at the identical mileage, indicating the owner addressed immediate failures promptly. Advisories carried forward from the 2025 test, specifically headlamp aim and multiple deteriorated ball joint dust covers, suggest cosmetic and preventive maintenance has been reactive rather than proactive. The vehicle is fundamentally roadworthy today, but the record points to a car that has been kept running rather than meticulously maintained. The mileage accumulation is unremarkable for an 2008 MPV, averaging roughly 7,005 miles per year. Between the February 2024 pass at 117,666 miles and the April 2025 failure at 122,024 miles, the car covered approximately 4,358 miles in fourteen months. The jump from 122,029 miles in April 2025 to 126,086 miles by March 2026 represents 4,057 miles in just under eleven months, indicating slightly heavier recent use. There are no alarming gaps in the MOT record that suggest long-term standing or clocking, and the annual testing pattern is consistent with regular road use. The recurring theme across multiple tests is deterioration of rubber suspension components, specifically ball joint dust covers and track rod end boots. The offside front suspension arm ball joint dust cover has repeatedly failed to prevent dirt ingress, appearing as a failure in April 2025 and again as an advisory in March 2026. Track rod end covers on both sides were flagged as damaged or deteriorated in 2025. When split or perished, these covers allow grit into the joint, accelerating wear and potentially leading to steering play or failure. A buyer should physically inspect the front suspension for play, listening for knocks over rough surfaces and checking for uneven tyre wear that would confirm joint degradation. The March 2026 failure also flagged rear brake pads below 1.5mm and both front and rear tyres worn close to the legal limit, all of which were evidently rectified for the same-day pass. These are consumable items, but failing on three separate wear points in one test suggests routine inspection intervals were stretched. The headlamp aim issue, appearing across multiple tests, hints at possible neglect of basic beam alignment after bulb changes or suspension work. A prospective buyer should verify the condition of the rear brake discs for scoring, check the front tyres for edge wear consistent with worn suspension geometry, and confirm the headlamp aim is correctly set for loaded driving.