CarVerify

Mitsubishi Sigma Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Mitsubishi Sigma car check

Is the Mitsubishi Sigma reliable? We analysed 2,482 real MOT tests across 538 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Mitsubishi Sigma? Enter the reg for a free check:

Free basic check Reports from £4.99 Results in seconds
Data last updated: · Based on 2,482 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
66.7%
Typical Mileage
109,728mi
Annual Mileage
3,866mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
35yrs

The Mitsubishi Sigma is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mitsubishi Sigma.

Mitsubishi Sigma Number Plates

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

Mitsubishi Sigma MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

75.9%
2000
68.8%
1996
64%
1995
67%
1994
68.1%
1993
61.5%
1992
67.5%
1991

Mitsubishi Sigma Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Brake pipe excessively corroded 250
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 165
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 110
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 97
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 97
Stop lamp not working 88
Steering rack gaiter split 85
position lamp(s) not working 74
Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded 52
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 48

Mitsubishi Sigma Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
1,790 mi/yr
Typical
3,866 mi/yr
Average
4,961 mi/yr
Heavy usage
6,675 mi/yr

Mitsubishi Sigma MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2000 58 75.9% 82,423 96,349 146,907
1996 109 68.8% 82,648 105,279 123,974
1995 700 64.0% 89,530 113,948 136,718
1994 587 67.0% 95,557 115,042 145,796
1993 523 68.1% 81,567 111,386 132,744
1992 135 61.5% 77,920 106,124 126,542
1991 277 67.5% 70,168 97,880 121,012

How Long Does a Mitsubishi Sigma Last?

Based on 538 Mitsubishi Sigma vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.2 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
35 years

Mitsubishi Sigma Mileage Distribution

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

Median
109,728 mi
75th Percentile
134,478 mi
95th Percentile
176,829 mi
Max Recorded
556,700 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Mitsubishi Sigma

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

Best year
2000

75.9% MOT pass rate from 58 tests

Year to avoid
1992

61.5% MOT pass rate from 135 tests

The best year to buy a used Mitsubishi Sigma is 2000, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 75.9% across 58 tests. The 1992 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Mitsubishi Sigma Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Mitsubishi Sigma THIS CAR 66.7% 2,482 109,728 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
Aprilia Moto 6.5 81.6% 1,014 10,170 mi 31 yrs

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

Found a Mitsubishi Sigma 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 Sigma

Should you buy a used Mitsubishi Sigma?

The Mitsubishi Sigma has an overall MOT pass rate of 66.7% across 2,482 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Mitsubishi Sigma are brake pipe excessively corroded (250 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (165), and exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (110). 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 Sigma owner drives around 3,866 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 Sigma 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 Sigma — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mitsubishi Sigma reliable?
Based on 2,482 MOT tests, the Mitsubishi Sigma has a 66.7% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Mitsubishi Sigma?
The most common MOT failures are brake pipe excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, and exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Mitsubishi Sigma do per year?
The typical Mitsubishi Sigma does around 3,866 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Mitsubishi Sigma last?
Most Mitsubishi Sigma models stay on UK roads for around 35 years based on our analysis of 538 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Mitsubishi Sigma?
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 Sigma?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Mitsubishi Sigma is 2000 with a 75.9% pass rate across 58 tests.