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Mitsubishi Exceed Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Mitsubishi Exceed car check

Is the Mitsubishi Exceed reliable? We analysed 1,776 real MOT tests across 164 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,776 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
70.9%
Typical Mileage
137,416mi
Annual Mileage
6,639mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
35yrs

The Mitsubishi Exceed is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, fog lamp not working and exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mitsubishi Exceed.

Mitsubishi Exceed Number Plates

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

Mitsubishi Exceed MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

72%
2007
74.6%
2006
75%
2005
76.6%
2004
63.9%
2003
62.9%
2002
78.3%
2001
67.9%
2000
72.3%
1996
76.4%
1995
64.6%
1994
69.2%
1993
70.7%
1992
76.6%
1991

Mitsubishi Exceed Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Brake pipe excessively corroded 113
fog lamp not working 80
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 79
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 61
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 52
Registration plate lamp not working 51
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine 41
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 34
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 33
wheel bearing has excessive play 32

Mitsubishi Exceed Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
3,904 mi/yr
Typical
6,639 mi/yr
Average
7,785 mi/yr
Heavy usage
10,036 mi/yr

Mitsubishi Exceed MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2007 82 72.0% 106,534 109,423 136,468
2006 63 74.6% 84,486 125,385 139,412
2005 136 75.0% 114,226 147,762 172,848
2004 145 76.6% 102,210 145,632 187,061
2003 202 63.9% 104,864 137,194 173,158
2002 105 62.9% 137,415 162,348 185,206
2001 60 78.3% 94,362 131,414 157,014
2000 53 67.9% 148,028 174,368 188,075
1996 130 72.3% 120,650 135,227 172,460
1995 199 76.4% 86,279 116,086 145,995
1994 113 64.6% 130,929 180,363 213,286
1993 120 69.2% 96,194 118,130 142,873
1992 150 70.7% 99,466 123,277 149,999
1991 77 76.6% 136,118 173,806 213,857

How Long Does a Mitsubishi Exceed Last?

Based on 164 Mitsubishi Exceed vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.5 years
Median
15.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
35 years

Mitsubishi Exceed Mileage Distribution

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

Median
137,416 mi
75th Percentile
173,544 mi
95th Percentile
221,455 mi
Max Recorded
974,410 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Mitsubishi Exceed

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

Best year
2001

78.3% MOT pass rate from 60 tests

Year to avoid
2002

62.9% MOT pass rate from 105 tests

The best year to buy a used Mitsubishi Exceed is 2001, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 78.3% across 60 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Mitsubishi Exceed Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Mitsubishi Exceed THIS CAR 70.9% 1,776 137,416 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
Toyota Harrier 75.1% 3,273 88,504 mi 28 yrs

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

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Should you buy a used Mitsubishi Exceed?

The Mitsubishi Exceed has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.9% across 1,776 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Mitsubishi Exceed are brake pipe excessively corroded (113 recorded failures), fog lamp not working (80), and exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (79). 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 Exceed owner drives around 6,639 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 Exceed 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 Exceed — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mitsubishi Exceed reliable?
Based on 1,776 MOT tests, the Mitsubishi Exceed has a 70.9% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Mitsubishi Exceed?
The most common MOT failures are brake pipe excessively corroded, fog lamp not working, and exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Mitsubishi Exceed do per year?
The typical Mitsubishi Exceed does around 6,639 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Mitsubishi Exceed last?
Most Mitsubishi Exceed models stay on UK roads for around 35 years based on our analysis of 164 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Mitsubishi Exceed?
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 Exceed?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Mitsubishi Exceed is 2001 with a 78.3% pass rate across 60 tests.