Mitsubishi Canter Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mitsubishi Canter car check
Is the Mitsubishi Canter reliable? We analysed 48,869 real MOT tests across 3,677 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mitsubishi Canter? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mitsubishi Canter is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include position lamp(s) not working, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and track rod end ball joint has excessive play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mitsubishi Canter.
Mitsubishi Canter Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mitsubishi Canter. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mitsubishi Canter MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mitsubishi Canter to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mitsubishi Canter Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mitsubishi Canter fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mitsubishi Canter Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mitsubishi Canter owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mitsubishi Canter MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mitsubishi Canter year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 81 | 76.5% | 48,130 | 76,670 | 118,227 |
| 2013 | 56 | 76.8% | 25,778 | 47,316 | 113,878 |
| 2010 | 60 | 71.7% | 47,260 | 66,799 | 109,326 |
| 2009 | 293 | 67.9% | 51,665 | 89,890 | 126,581 |
| 2008 | 610 | 68.2% | 51,844 | 80,069 | 119,554 |
| 2007 | 1,375 | 70.4% | 54,916 | 82,206 | 112,400 |
| 2006 | 4,011 | 69.4% | 57,079 | 89,122 | 125,137 |
| 2005 | 6,234 | 68.8% | 58,507 | 89,896 | 127,396 |
| 2004 | 7,829 | 67.9% | 61,926 | 94,490 | 134,039 |
| 2003 | 5,972 | 68.2% | 63,537 | 93,598 | 129,735 |
| 2002 | 4,695 | 68.8% | 60,674 | 89,999 | 124,151 |
| 2001 | 4,759 | 68.6% | 61,999 | 88,727 | 121,537 |
| 2000 | 5,899 | 70.2% | 73,793 | 98,984 | 127,233 |
| 1999 | 3,603 | 67.1% | 78,554 | 106,225 | 139,440 |
| 1998 | 2,747 | 68.5% | 82,952 | 105,696 | 137,754 |
| 1988 | 68 | 64.7% | 117,861 | 195,025 | 265,504 |
| 1987 | 120 | 60.8% | 84,547 | 112,172 | 155,380 |
How Long Does a Mitsubishi Canter Last?
Based on 3,677 Mitsubishi Canter vehicles on UK roads.
Mitsubishi Canter Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mitsubishi Canter MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Mitsubishi Canter
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
76.8% MOT pass rate from 56 tests
60.8% MOT pass rate from 120 tests
The best year to buy a used Mitsubishi Canter is 2013, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.8% across 56 tests. The 1987 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mitsubishi Canter Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Canter THIS CAR | 68.7% | 48,869 | 94,399 mi | 28 yrs |
| Mitsubishi L200 | 74.1% | 1,362,678 | 80,302 mi | 29 yrs |
| Mitsubishi Shogun | 71.9% | 1,312,716 | 107,142 mi | 37 yrs |
| Mitsubishi Colt | 72.5% | 950,325 | 59,666 mi | 30 yrs |
| Piaggio MP3 | 86.9% | 15,282 | 11,709 mi | 19 yrs |
Compared to the Mitsubishi L200 (74.1% pass rate) and the Mitsubishi Shogun (71.9% pass rate), the Mitsubishi Canter trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Mitsubishi Canter you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Mitsubishi CanterShould you buy a used Mitsubishi Canter?
The Mitsubishi Canter has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.7% across 48,869 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Mitsubishi Canter are position lamp(s) not working (2,761 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (2,609), and track rod end ball joint has excessive play (1,611). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Mitsubishi Canter owner drives around 6,092 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Mitsubishi Canter models stay on UK roads for around 28 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.