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Mitsubishi Delica Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Mitsubishi Delica car check

Is the Mitsubishi Delica reliable? We analysed 67,358 real MOT tests across 5,362 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 67,358 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
65.8%
Typical Mileage
132,825mi
Annual Mileage
5,613mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
35yrs

The Mitsubishi Delica is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include steering rack gaiter split, fog lamp not working and brake pipe excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mitsubishi Delica.

Mitsubishi Delica Number Plates

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

Mitsubishi Delica MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

66.4%
2021
74.1%
2020
70.7%
2019
71.1%
2018
69.2%
2017
70.1%
2016
68%
2015
68.9%
2014
73.2%
2013
69.9%
2012
70.2%
2011
70.8%
2010
69.7%
2009
67.9%
2008
68%
2007
65%
2006
65.9%
2005
66%
2004
64.7%
2003
66.1%
2002

Mitsubishi Delica Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Steering rack gaiter split 3,550
fog lamp not working 3,374
Brake pipe excessively corroded 2,884
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 2,429
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 2,278
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1,987
Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint 1,806
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 1,694
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 1,651
Registration plate lamp not working 1,604

Mitsubishi Delica Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
2,969 mi/yr
Typical
5,613 mi/yr
Average
6,856 mi/yr
Heavy usage
9,237 mi/yr

Mitsubishi Delica MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2021 140 66.4% 90,497 118,586 143,414
2020 278 74.1% 74,135 103,210 148,166
2019 461 70.7% 78,680 111,915 138,965
2018 450 71.1% 94,429 123,295 160,062
2017 627 69.2% 84,463 115,568 149,764
2016 702 70.1% 86,603 114,362 143,440
2015 681 68.0% 84,491 112,942 141,854
2014 238 68.9% 80,062 106,149 163,932
2013 250 73.2% 92,708 121,176 155,953
2012 246 69.9% 82,349 110,148 138,530
2011 141 70.2% 86,213 116,792 145,814
2010 490 70.8% 106,204 139,274 178,846
2009 436 69.7% 80,122 108,721 151,454
2008 1,276 67.9% 99,554 130,491 162,030
2007 3,337 68.0% 95,917 126,720 160,889
2006 6,666 65.0% 101,123 130,941 166,697
2005 10,238 65.9% 103,108 134,548 166,374
2004 9,378 66.0% 104,486 134,624 169,663
2003 6,282 64.7% 106,727 138,326 170,862
2002 1,530 66.1% 106,592 137,268 174,766

How Long Does a Mitsubishi Delica Last?

Based on 5,362 Mitsubishi Delica vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.5 years
Median
15.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
35 years

Mitsubishi Delica Mileage Distribution

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

Median
132,825 mi
75th Percentile
166,513 mi
95th Percentile
227,081 mi
Max Recorded
973,213 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Mitsubishi Delica

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

Best year
2020

74.1% MOT pass rate from 278 tests

Year to avoid
1989

58.9% MOT pass rate from 90 tests

The best year to buy a used Mitsubishi Delica is 2020, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 74.1% across 278 tests. The 1989 model year has the lowest pass rate at 58.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Mitsubishi Delica Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Mitsubishi Delica THIS CAR 65.8% 67,358 132,825 mi 35 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
BMW 520D M Sport MHEV Auto 89% 22,502 38,370 mi — yrs

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

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Should you buy a used Mitsubishi Delica?

The Mitsubishi Delica has an overall MOT pass rate of 65.8% across 67,358 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Mitsubishi Delica are steering rack gaiter split (3,550 recorded failures), fog lamp not working (3,374), and brake pipe excessively corroded (2,884). 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 Delica owner drives around 5,613 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 Delica models stay on UK roads for around 35 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 Delica — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mitsubishi Delica reliable?
Based on 67,358 MOT tests, the Mitsubishi Delica has a 65.8% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Mitsubishi Delica?
The most common MOT failures are steering rack gaiter split, fog lamp not working, and brake pipe excessively corroded. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Mitsubishi Delica do per year?
The typical Mitsubishi Delica does around 5,613 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Mitsubishi Delica last?
Most Mitsubishi Delica models stay on UK roads for around 35 years based on our analysis of 5,362 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Mitsubishi Delica?
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 Delica?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Mitsubishi Delica is 2020 with a 74.1% pass rate across 278 tests.