Large SUV · 1996–2021 cars
Mitsubishi Pajero reliability
The Mitsubishi Pajero fails 32.5% of first MOT tests, 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 6,577 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mitsubishi Pajero before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 32.5%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 24% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 6,577
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- –
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mitsubishi Pajero ages
Each point is the share of Mitsubishi Pajeros of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mitsubishi Pajero | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | 32.5% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 34.1% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 34.5% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 31.2% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 32.6% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 37.1% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 30.7% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 36.8% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 34.2% | 38.9% |
By year
The best and worst Mitsubishi Pajero years
2005 cars come out best and 2003 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 238 | 30.7% | 30% fewer fails | 124,472 |
| 2006 | 577 | 33.1% | 26% fewer fails | 131,954 |
| 2005 Pajero | 1,095 | 31.4% | 31% fewer fails | 142,275 |
| 2004 Pajero | 1,277 | 33.5% | 27% fewer fails | 148,549 |
| 2003 Pajero | 1,026 | 34.2% | 25% fewer fails | 146,263 |
| 2002 | 494 | 41.9% | 6% fewer fails | 142,557 |
| 2001 | 356 | 32% | 27% fewer fails | 150,658 |
| 2000 | 261 | 35.6% | 16% fewer fails | 142,221 |
| 1999 | 230 | 27.8% | 30% fewer fails | 130,034 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Mitsubishi Pajero
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 37% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics14.9%30% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure13.2%37% above avg
- Brakes11.3%21% below avg
- Suspension10.9%37% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.9%32% below avg
- Steering4.6%1% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.5%37% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags4.3%29% above avg
- Tyres1.8%74% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Rear fog lamp not working 4.29% of tests
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
- 2
Seat belt anchor area weakened 3.01% of tests
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
- 3
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 2.87% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 4
Exhaust has major gas leak 2.81% of tests
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
- 5
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.78% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 6
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.19% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 7
CV joint boot split or insecure 2.07% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 8
Chassis corroded near body mounting 1.84% of tests
Corrosion at a body mounting can weaken the chassis where it attaches, so an expert inspection is needed.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mitsubishi Pajero's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy19.52%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive18.66%
- Wheel bearing slight play8.16%
- Exhaust has minor gas leak6.69%
- Chassis corroded but still rigid6.66%
- Fuel pipes starting to corrode6.45%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mitsubishi Pajero
- 1
Rear fog lamp not working
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
- 2
Seat belt anchor area weakened
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
- 3
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 4
Exhaust has major gas leak
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel79.7%
- Petrol20.2%
- LPG0.1%
- Hybrid0%
Most common colours
Silver, Blue, White, Green, Grey
Average engine size: 2.7 litres.
Compare
How the Mitsubishi Pajero compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz GL-Class | 17.8% | 46% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 13.7% | 39% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz GLS | 11.1% | 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz R-Class | 27.2% | 34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi Pajero | 32.5% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Terrano | 45.1% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SsangYong Rexton | 35.6% | 36% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every large suv ranked in the large suv reliability index, or all Mitsubishi models.
Questions
Mitsubishi Pajero questions, answered
Is the Mitsubishi Pajero reliable?
On MOT results, the Mitsubishi Pajero is better than average: it fails 32.5% of first MOT tests, 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 19 of 30 large suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Mitsubishi Pajero MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mitsubishi Pajero are rear fog lamp not working (4.29% of tests), seat belt anchor area weakened (3.01% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (2.87% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 14.9% of its tests.
Which Mitsubishi Pajero year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2005 cars do best (31% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2003 cars do worst (25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How do I check a Mitsubishi Pajero before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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