Mitsubishi Challenger Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mitsubishi Challenger car check
Is the Mitsubishi Challenger reliable? We analysed 31,992 real MOT tests across 2,473 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mitsubishi Challenger? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mitsubishi Challenger is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush and anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mitsubishi Challenger.
Mitsubishi Challenger Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mitsubishi Challenger. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mitsubishi Challenger MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mitsubishi Challenger to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mitsubishi Challenger Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mitsubishi Challenger fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mitsubishi Challenger Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mitsubishi Challenger owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mitsubishi Challenger MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mitsubishi Challenger year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 214 | 69.6% | 84,503 | 105,448 | 128,458 |
| 2006 | 158 | 70.3% | 68,743 | 83,355 | 110,697 |
| 2005 | 342 | 70.2% | 88,893 | 121,584 | 167,884 |
| 2004 | 2,182 | 69.2% | 96,948 | 125,685 | 162,388 |
| 2003 | 2,011 | 69.5% | 92,056 | 120,291 | 157,041 |
| 2002 | 339 | 72.0% | 82,242 | 113,816 | 142,134 |
| 2001 | 323 | 66.3% | 93,425 | 124,215 | 150,016 |
| 2000 | 3,071 | 68.6% | 75,141 | 98,889 | 126,825 |
| 1999 | 18,924 | 68.6% | 81,786 | 105,482 | 131,485 |
| 1998 | 1,335 | 66.8% | 84,326 | 111,814 | 138,390 |
| 1997 | 1,187 | 69.0% | 91,934 | 128,962 | 171,962 |
| 1996 | 1,778 | 68.2% | 94,166 | 126,375 | 163,524 |
How Long Does a Mitsubishi Challenger Last?
Based on 2,473 Mitsubishi Challenger vehicles on UK roads.
Mitsubishi Challenger Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mitsubishi Challenger 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 Challenger
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
72.0% MOT pass rate from 339 tests
66.3% MOT pass rate from 323 tests
The best year to buy a used Mitsubishi Challenger is 2002, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 72.0% across 339 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mitsubishi Challenger Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Challenger THIS CAR | 68.6% | 31,992 | 109,262 mi | 30 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 |
| Daihatsu Materia | 81.1% | 14,356 | 56,917 mi | 19 yrs |
Compared to the Mitsubishi L200 (74.1% pass rate) and the Mitsubishi Shogun (71.9% pass rate), the Mitsubishi Challenger trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Mitsubishi Challenger 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 ChallengerShould you buy a used Mitsubishi Challenger?
The Mitsubishi Challenger has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.6% across 31,992 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Mitsubishi Challenger are brake pipe excessively corroded (3,575 recorded failures), anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush (1,622), and anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (1,342). 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 Challenger owner drives around 5,987 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 Challenger models stay on UK roads for around 30 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.