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Mitsubishi Pajaro Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Mitsubishi Pajaro car check

Is the Mitsubishi Pajaro reliable? We analysed 2,842 real MOT tests across 255 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,842 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
70.2%
Typical Mileage
140,577mi
Annual Mileage
6,275mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
35yrs

The Mitsubishi Pajaro is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, fog lamp not working and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mitsubishi Pajaro.

Mitsubishi Pajaro Number Plates

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

Mitsubishi Pajaro MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

71.9%
2007
71%
2006
75.1%
2005
72.7%
2004
69.9%
2003
68.8%
2002
66.2%
2001
69.2%
2000
65.7%
1999
67.3%
1998
59.4%
1997
63%
1996
77.7%
1995
73.4%
1994
70.8%
1993
67.4%
1992
64.2%
1991

Mitsubishi Pajaro Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Brake pipe excessively corroded 201
fog lamp not working 113
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 87
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 80
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine 80
Registration plate lamp not working 74
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 65
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 55
Stop lamp not working 54
Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush 51

Mitsubishi Pajaro Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
3,516 mi/yr
Typical
6,275 mi/yr
Average
7,714 mi/yr
Heavy usage
10,167 mi/yr

Mitsubishi Pajaro MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2007 64 71.9% 98,696 113,338 147,770
2006 69 71.0% 108,099 115,247 145,844
2005 257 75.1% 112,455 139,198 170,304
2004 465 72.7% 103,177 135,443 167,961
2003 269 69.9% 108,986 139,790 177,647
2002 160 68.8% 123,008 149,090 182,552
2001 77 66.2% 93,763 118,981 156,073
2000 78 69.2% 117,369 169,682 214,127
1999 108 65.7% 139,480 175,179 195,716
1998 110 67.3% 82,530 112,405 167,869
1997 69 59.4% 94,494 119,522 155,564
1996 100 63.0% 88,922 105,110 131,906
1995 242 77.7% 116,818 149,112 191,442
1994 184 73.4% 97,468 124,999 161,066
1993 154 70.8% 120,806 139,887 181,416
1992 233 67.4% 124,257 151,801 196,770
1991 134 64.2% 136,547 161,878 201,609

How Long Does a Mitsubishi Pajaro Last?

Based on 255 Mitsubishi Pajaro vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.7 years
Median
14.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
35 years

Mitsubishi Pajaro Mileage Distribution

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

Median
140,577 mi
75th Percentile
179,151 mi
95th Percentile
234,511 mi
Max Recorded
982,908 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Mitsubishi Pajaro

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

Best year
1995

77.7% MOT pass rate from 242 tests

Year to avoid
1997

59.4% MOT pass rate from 69 tests

The best year to buy a used Mitsubishi Pajaro is 1995, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.7% across 242 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 59.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Mitsubishi Pajaro Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Mitsubishi Pajaro THIS CAR 70.2% 2,842 140,577 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
Skoda Fabia SE L TSI S-a 94% 996 17,456 mi — yrs

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

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Should you buy a used Mitsubishi Pajaro?

The Mitsubishi Pajaro has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.2% across 2,842 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Mitsubishi Pajaro are brake pipe excessively corroded (201 recorded failures), fog lamp not working (113), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (87). 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 Pajaro owner drives around 6,275 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 Pajaro 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 Pajaro — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mitsubishi Pajaro reliable?
Based on 2,842 MOT tests, the Mitsubishi Pajaro has a 70.2% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Mitsubishi Pajaro?
The most common MOT failures are brake pipe excessively corroded, fog lamp not working, and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Mitsubishi Pajaro do per year?
The typical Mitsubishi Pajaro does around 6,275 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Mitsubishi Pajaro last?
Most Mitsubishi Pajaro models stay on UK roads for around 35 years based on our analysis of 255 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Mitsubishi Pajaro?
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 Pajaro?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Mitsubishi Pajaro is 1995 with a 77.7% pass rate across 242 tests.