Mitsubishi Pajero Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mitsubishi Pajero car check
Is the Mitsubishi Pajero reliable? We analysed 288,943 real MOT tests across 28,100 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mitsubishi Pajero? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mitsubishi Pajero 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 Pajero.
Mitsubishi Pajero Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mitsubishi Pajero. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mitsubishi Pajero MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mitsubishi Pajero to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mitsubishi Pajero Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mitsubishi Pajero fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mitsubishi Pajero Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mitsubishi Pajero owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mitsubishi Pajero MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mitsubishi Pajero year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 88 | 84.1% | 69,588 | 108,236 | 129,598 |
| 2020 | 84 | 70.2% | 90,094 | 111,824 | 135,493 |
| 2019 | 82 | 76.8% | 58,662 | 104,342 | 119,007 |
| 2018 | 233 | 81.1% | 64,868 | 94,527 | 118,233 |
| 2017 | 211 | 82.0% | 64,432 | 89,445 | 116,397 |
| 2016 | 283 | 79.9% | 64,705 | 87,717 | 112,165 |
| 2015 | 145 | 74.5% | 54,220 | 83,146 | 108,663 |
| 2014 | 134 | 77.6% | 88,560 | 103,428 | 127,597 |
| 2012 | 71 | 76.1% | 52,943 | 107,191 | 121,836 |
| 2011 | 263 | 71.9% | 92,764 | 122,244 | 164,759 |
| 2010 | 345 | 70.1% | 73,697 | 99,326 | 125,951 |
| 2009 | 415 | 75.2% | 76,702 | 110,095 | 150,800 |
| 2008 | 1,225 | 73.0% | 90,454 | 117,152 | 150,559 |
| 2007 | 3,504 | 72.3% | 98,514 | 130,697 | 166,924 |
| 2006 | 10,669 | 73.0% | 95,331 | 125,892 | 162,249 |
| 2005 | 26,779 | 71.7% | 98,810 | 131,215 | 167,310 |
| 2004 | 37,035 | 70.7% | 104,590 | 136,243 | 171,134 |
| 2003 | 34,099 | 69.6% | 110,641 | 140,428 | 174,255 |
| 2002 | 19,015 | 69.7% | 110,762 | 141,752 | 177,223 |
| 2001 | 14,963 | 68.7% | 115,574 | 148,614 | 185,309 |
How Long Does a Mitsubishi Pajero Last?
Based on 28,100 Mitsubishi Pajero vehicles on UK roads.
Mitsubishi Pajero Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mitsubishi Pajero 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 Pajero
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
84.1% MOT pass rate from 88 tests
63.2% MOT pass rate from 711 tests
The best year to buy a used Mitsubishi Pajero is 2021, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.1% across 88 tests. The 1988 model year has the lowest pass rate at 63.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mitsubishi Pajero Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Pajero THIS CAR | 69.9% | 288,943 | 141,476 mi | 37 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 |
| Nissan Sunny | 62.5% | 362,425 | 86,554 mi | 40 yrs |
Compared to the Mitsubishi L200 (74.1% pass rate) and the Mitsubishi Shogun (71.9% pass rate), the Mitsubishi Pajero trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Mitsubishi Pajero 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 PajeroShould you buy a used Mitsubishi Pajero?
The Mitsubishi Pajero has an overall MOT pass rate of 69.9% across 288,943 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Mitsubishi Pajero are brake pipe excessively corroded (21,759 recorded failures), fog lamp not working (13,068), and exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (10,055). 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 Pajero owner drives around 6,246 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 Pajero models stay on UK roads for around 37 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.