Mitsubishi Montero Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mitsubishi Montero car check
Is the Mitsubishi Montero reliable? We analysed 670 real MOT tests across 128 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mitsubishi Montero? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mitsubishi Montero is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include fog lamp not working, brake pipe excessively corroded and headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mitsubishi Montero.
Mitsubishi Montero Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mitsubishi Montero. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mitsubishi Montero MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mitsubishi Montero to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mitsubishi Montero Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mitsubishi Montero fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mitsubishi Montero Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mitsubishi Montero owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mitsubishi Montero MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mitsubishi Montero year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 83 | 68.7% | 70,166 | 105,397 | 138,502 |
| 2001 | 62 | 71.0% | 23,164 | 28,404 | 85,930 |
| 2000 | 93 | 65.6% | 104,779 | 129,347 | 157,220 |
| 1999 | 59 | 81.4% | 67,947 | 116,066 | 145,187 |
| 1993 | 51 | 62.7% | 112,338 | 142,951 | 154,200 |
How Long Does a Mitsubishi Montero Last?
Based on 128 Mitsubishi Montero vehicles on UK roads.
Mitsubishi Montero Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mitsubishi Montero 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 Montero
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
81.4% MOT pass rate from 59 tests
62.7% MOT pass rate from 51 tests
The best year to buy a used Mitsubishi Montero is 1999, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 81.4% across 59 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mitsubishi Montero Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Montero THIS CAR | 72.1% | 670 | 114,883 mi | 33 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 |
| Dacia Duster Expression Tce 4X2 | 90% | 700 | 23,369 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Mitsubishi L200 (74.1% pass rate) and the Mitsubishi Shogun (71.9% pass rate), the Mitsubishi Montero sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Mitsubishi Montero 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 MonteroShould you buy a used Mitsubishi Montero?
The Mitsubishi Montero has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.1% across 670 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Mitsubishi Montero are fog lamp not working (30 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (25), and headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (21). 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 Montero owner drives around 5,794 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 Montero models stay on UK roads for around 33 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.