Nissan Elgrand E51 UK Buyer’s Guide | High-Quality Imports | Vine Place
The Ultimate Nissan Elgrand E51 UK Buyer’s Handbook | High-Quality Imports For Sale
Nissan Elgrand E51 for Sale in the UK
Discover the Nissan Elgrand E51, Japan’s luxurious seven- or eight-seater MPV — imported, prepared and registered for UK roads by Vine Place, established in 1988 and trusted Japanese import specialists since 1996.
All of our Elgrand’s are low-mileage BIMTA mileage certificate and insurance) , UK-registered and MOT-tested, ready to drive away with finance and nationwide delivery available.
With over 450 five-star reviews and 25 years’ experience, Vine Place is the UK name you can trust for high-quality Japanese MPVs. We are also “Highly Rated” by the Autotrader for customer service.
Why Buy a Nissan Elgrand E51?
Produced from 2002 to 2010, the E51 generation of the Nissan Elgrand redefined luxury people-carriers. It blends refined V6 performance, effortless cruising comfort and family-friendly practicality — ideal for long journeys, leisure travel or camper conversion projects.
Key Highlights Depending on model:
• 7 or 8-seater layouts with walk-through access
• 2.5 and 3.5 L V6 petrol engines that last hundreds of thousands of miles.
• Electric sliding doors & revolving captain’s seats
• Premium interiors with climate control
• Quiet ride & superb build quality
• ULEZ-compliant variants available (2006 on)
Our Nissan Elgrand E51 Imports
Every Elgrand offered by Vine Place is personally selected in Japan for mileage, condition and specification — we don’t buy random auction cars.
Our Preparation Process:
1. Pre-purchase inspection and export approval in Japan
2. Underbody protection applied in the UK
3. Speedometer conversion from km/h to mph
4. Complete service, MOT and UK registration included
5. Nationwide delivery and warranty backed by Vine Place
All Elgrand’s are ready to drive away, fully registered and insured for UK roads.
The Nissan E51 Elgrand. The Ultimate Luxury MPV
Introduced in 2002, the Nissan Elgrand E51 redefined the luxury people-carrier market. Far surpassing standard vans in both refinement and technology, the E51 remains a premier choice for UK buyers seeking a reliable, high-specification Japanese import. At Vine Place, we have specialised in these exceptional vehicles since 1996, focusing exclusively on the finest examples at the top of the Nissan product range. Here is an official advert for the Series III car.
Technical Mastery: The VQ-Series V6
The E51 generation is powered by Nissan’s legendary VQ-series V6 petrol engines, renowned for being extremely smooth and bulletproof in their reliability.
- 3.5L V6 (240BHP): The powerhouse of the range, offering effortless performance for long-distance cruising.
- 2.5L V6 (180BHP): A refined alternative introduced to provide better fuel economy around town without sacrificing the signature V6 smoothness.
Click the photo for an article about Nissan’s fantastic VQ Powerplant.
All models feature a sophisticated 5-speed automatic gearbox and are available in either Rear-Wheel Drive (2WD) or a versatile All-Wheel Drive (4WD) configuration, ensuring confidence in all UK weather conditions.
A Legacy of Innovation: Series 1, 2, and 3
Throughout its production run from 2002 to 2010, the E51 underwent key evolutions to stay ahead of the competition:
Series 1 (2002–2004): The groundbreaking original that set the standard for MPV luxury.
Series 2 Facelift (2004–2007): Brought a more modern exterior aesthetic and revised interior trim options.
A Series II Highway Star Cockpit. While not as moderns as the SIII, it can be upgraded to CarPlay/Android Auto for less than the later car.
Series 3 (2007–2010): The final and most advanced iteration, featuring a revised dashboard and upgraded technology. At Vine Place, our Series 3 cars can be converted so the menu system reads in English, and they feature DVD entertainment as standard.
A Series III Highway Star Black Leather Edition Cockpit.
Premium Trim Levels at Vine Place
While many variants exist, we concentrate on the most desirable, high-specification models:
Highway Star (The Most Popular Choice)
Available with both 2.5 and 3.5 engines, the Highway Star is our most sought-after model. It is the most practical choice for active UK families, featuring black carpets and interior trim panels that are easy to maintain.
- Interior: Half or full leather seats with a stylish, modern feel.
- Special Editions: Limited edition models offer exclusive black, red, silver, or coffee-coloured interiors, often including heated seats, electric drivers' seats, and rear leg rests.
Highway Star Black Leather Edition Trim.
Rider by Autech (The Sport Choice)
The Rider is the "sports" flagship of the range, featuring aggressive body styling, chrome alloy wheels, and a slightly lower stance.
- Rider: Typically features a luxurious cream leather interior. Later cars could have black.
- Rider S: Offers a unique grey velour trim for those who prefer a different tactile feel.
XL (The Luxury Flagship)
The XL is the pinnacle of luxury and is exclusively available with the 3.5L engine. It is the only model in the range designed as a dedicated 7-seater, prioritising passenger space and opulence. Almost every optional extra comes as standard on the XL.
Unrivalled Features and "First Class" Extras
The Nissan Elgrand E51 is famous for its "gadget" count. Depending on the specification, your Elgrand may include:
- Dual Power Sliding Doors: Remote-controlled access for both passenger and driver sides.
- Technology: Rear remote-control drop-down monitors, Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound, and Adaptable Front Headlamps (AFS).
- Comfort: Twin sunroofs, AC electric power (120v), and factory-fitted privacy curtains for a true VIP experience.
Practical Tip: At Vine Place, we find that cars with black interior trim are particularly popular with UK buyers. They are highly practical for outdoor activities and family life, which is why we prioritize these durable, high-quality finishes in our stock. For those not wanting such a durable finish and seeking a luxury feel the XL and Rider cream leather cars are superb.
Elgrand Seating Configuration
Technical Mastery - Is the Nissan Elgrand E51 reliable?
At Vine Place, we are often asked about the 'cat issue.' We inspect all our imports to ensure the primary catalytic converters are healthy, and de-core the secondary cats which are not required to pass the UK MOT preventing the well-known debris-ingestion issue common on poorly maintained E51s.
With this modification carried out the VQ engine is an extremely reliable unit with mechanic breakdown, oil leaks and malfunctions almost unheard of. For more details here’s another link to the engine article – Why is the VQ Engine Known for its Reliability?
Compare the Elgrand E51 to Other MPVs
The E51 competes with:
• Toyota Alphard
• Toyota Vellfire
• Honda Odyssey
• Toyota Estima
Compared with these, the Elgrand stands out for its V6 performance, distinctive styling and refined driving feel.
Finance & Nationwide Delivery
Make your purchase easy with our flexible finance plans and door-to-door delivery:
• Low deposit and competitive rates
• Delivery to any UK mainland postcode
• Part exchange welcome
Enquire now to get a personalised quote or check current stock availability.
Prices
As of February 2026, a nice series II car fresh into the UK starts at around £8500 with Series 3 cars still around the £10,000 mark. These cars are good grade and reasonable mileage,
Here is a link to our current Nissan stock. Vine Place.
Finance & Nationwide Delivery
We offer affordable finance options and UK-wide delivery to make owning your Elgrand simple and stress-free. Here is a link to our Finance page, and here is a link to our Nationwide Delivery page.
We Take Part Exchange
You don’t have to own a Japanese import; we will take most types of vehicles in part exchange. Here is a link to our Part Exchange page
Up To 6 Year Warranty.
We can supply up to 3 years warranty and on expiration, after an inspection by Vine Place we can renew this for another 3 years giving a total of 6 years warranty. Here is a link to our Warranty Page.
Why Choose Vine Place
- Established since 1988 - Importing from Japan since 1996.
- 4.9 Star + rating from 450 + happy customers. Check out our Reviews page.
- BIMTA Mileage Guarantee. BIMTA.
- We do not sell “Accident Repaired” vehicles. Cars are Grade 4 or above.
- Mechanical inspection by qualified technicians in our in-house workshop.
- Money back guarantee for on-line purchases.
- Nationwide delivery service. Nationwide Delivery.
- Up to 3 years warranty (Extendable by another 3 years after inspection)
- Ongoing parts and service support with full diagnostic facilities in-house.
- Highly Rated by Autotrader.
Contact Us:
Address: Unit 2a and Unit 3a Wingate Grange Industrial Estate, Wingate, Durham, TS28 5AH.
Tel: 01429 836029
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: 07885 308219
Opening Times: Monday – Friday 8.30am-5.00pm. Saturday 10-00am-4.00pm. Sunday Closed.
Ready to Find Your Nissan Elgrand E51?
Browse our current stock below or contact us to reserve your ideal Elgrand today.
View Available Nissan Elgrand E51
FAQ Section
Q: Is the Nissan Elgrand E51 ULEZ (CAZ) compliant?
A: Many later petrol models are compliant – 2006 on
Q. What is the car’s dimensions?
A. Length 4.835m, Width 1.8M Height 1.92m
Q. Do Vine Place take any action regarding the E51’s catalytic converter issue?
A. We de-core the rear cats during our preparation process. This does not affect the cars emissions at MOT.
Q. What is official fuel consumption?
A. Using Japanese figures 22.6MPG for the 3.5 and 23.74MPG for the 2.5.
Q. Can you use an E51 to tow?
A. Yes it is legal to tow with a E51 in the UK. 3.5 is best for heavy towing.
Q: How do I know if the fuel gauge recall has been caried out?
A: We supply the recall history on all our cars. Most have had the recalls carried out. If they do not we do these while prepping the car and provide documentary evidence of this.
Q: Can the Elgrand be converted into a camper?
A: Yes – we supply models and can recommend trusted UK converters.
Q: How many seats does the Elgrand E51 have?
A: Most E51’s have 8 seats though the XL has 7.
Q: Do you offer finance for imports?
A: Absolutely. We work with specialist import finance providers to keep the process simple.
Q: Do the rear seats fold away?
A: Yes, the rear seats fold upwards creating a huge luggage space.
Q: Is there a diesel version?
A: No, Japan committed to a clean air policy in 2000, so new diesel Elgrand models were never introduced after this though there was an E50 diesel version from 1996-2002.
Q: Is there a manual gearbox version?
A: No, all Elgrand’s are automatic.
Q: Is the Elgrand cheap to run?
A: No. Fuel consumption is quite high. However, while fuel consumption is not as good as smaller family cars, the ability to carry 7/8 people means that the cost per mile per seat is low. Also, service parts are not expensive, and the vehicles’ reliability record is outstanding meaning low service and repair bills.
Q: Can I use a standard, unmodified Elgrand to sleep in on weekends away?
A: Yes, The Elgrand is designed so that the seats fold down into a bed for sleeping in. Many of our customers use their cars this way without ever thinking of getting a camper conversion.
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Author: David Rowe – Managing Director, Vine Place
David Rowe founded Vine Place in 1988, originally specializing in performance sports cars. Since importing his first Toyota MR2 Turbo in 1996, David has dedicated nearly 30 years to mastering the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM). Having made numerous trips to Japan since 1997 to build direct relationships with elite export agents, he has personally overseen the import and retail of thousands of specialist vehicles.
Beyond the showroom, David is a recognized authority in the import industry. He has provided expert consultancy for the CAP Price Guide, major insurance providers, finance houses, and national automotive journalists. His mission at Vine Place is to combine decades of technical expertise with total transparency, ensuring every customer finds their perfect Japanese luxury MPV.