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Mitsubishi Coupe Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Mitsubishi Coupe car check

Is the Mitsubishi Coupe reliable? We analysed 1,238 real MOT tests across 130 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,238 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
65.3%
Typical Mileage
102,052mi
Annual Mileage
3,688mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
32yrs

The Mitsubishi Coupe is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, brake pipe excessively corroded and steering rack gaiter split. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mitsubishi Coupe.

Mitsubishi Coupe Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Mitsubishi Coupe. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Mitsubishi Coupe MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Mitsubishi Coupe to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

67.9%
2004
69.8%
2002
66.3%
2001
60.3%
2000
65.2%
1999
63.9%
1998
57.4%
1997
63.8%
1996
63.4%
1995
67.9%
1994

Mitsubishi Coupe Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Mitsubishi Coupe fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 83
Brake pipe excessively corroded 79
Steering rack gaiter split 78
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 77
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 74
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 66
fog lamp not working 49
parking brake recording little or no effort 44
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 43
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 42

Mitsubishi Coupe Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Mitsubishi Coupe owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
1,467 mi/yr
Typical
3,688 mi/yr
Average
5,358 mi/yr
Heavy usage
7,498 mi/yr

Mitsubishi Coupe MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mitsubishi Coupe year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2004 134 67.9% 78,651 99,721 128,954
2002 86 69.8% 81,006 100,320 131,477
2001 104 66.3% 64,697 85,213 126,036
2000 126 60.3% 70,016 94,629 137,505
1999 112 65.2% 103,369 137,410 171,572
1998 61 63.9% 87,218 99,272 118,573
1997 61 57.4% 52,944 75,162 101,050
1996 58 63.8% 64,054 74,456 84,716
1995 183 63.4% 97,050 122,325 156,945
1994 84 67.9% 73,556 88,434 107,149

How Long Does a Mitsubishi Coupe Last?

Based on 130 Mitsubishi Coupe vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.8 years
Median
14.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
32 years

Mitsubishi Coupe Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Mitsubishi Coupe MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
102,052 mi
75th Percentile
132,481 mi
95th Percentile
194,077 mi
Max Recorded
315,985 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Mitsubishi Coupe

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2002

69.8% MOT pass rate from 86 tests

Year to avoid
1997

57.4% MOT pass rate from 61 tests

The best year to buy a used Mitsubishi Coupe is 2002, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 69.8% across 86 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 57.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Mitsubishi Coupe Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Mitsubishi Coupe THIS CAR 65.3% 1,238 102,052 mi 32 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
Ford Kuga St-line First ED E-blue 87.1% 1,550 33,972 mi — yrs

Compared to the Mitsubishi L200 (74.1% pass rate) and the Mitsubishi Shogun (71.9% pass rate), the Mitsubishi Coupe trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Mitsubishi Coupe?

The Mitsubishi Coupe has an overall MOT pass rate of 65.3% across 1,238 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Mitsubishi Coupe are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (83 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (79), and steering rack gaiter split (78). 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 Coupe owner drives around 3,688 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 Coupe models stay on UK roads for around 32 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.

Mitsubishi Coupe — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mitsubishi Coupe reliable?
Based on 1,238 MOT tests, the Mitsubishi Coupe has a 65.3% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Mitsubishi Coupe?
The most common MOT failures are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, brake pipe excessively corroded, and steering rack gaiter split. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Mitsubishi Coupe do per year?
The typical Mitsubishi Coupe does around 3,688 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Mitsubishi Coupe last?
Most Mitsubishi Coupe models stay on UK roads for around 32 years based on our analysis of 130 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Mitsubishi Coupe?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Mitsubishi Coupe?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Mitsubishi Coupe is 2002 with a 69.8% pass rate across 86 tests.