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Mitsubishi Space Runner Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Mitsubishi Space Runner car check

Is the Mitsubishi Space Runner reliable? We analysed 18,113 real MOT tests across 2,340 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 18,113 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
66.4%
Typical Mileage
94,076mi
Annual Mileage
4,832mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
35yrs

The Mitsubishi Space Runner 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 suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mitsubishi Space Runner.

Mitsubishi Space Runner Number Plates

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

Mitsubishi Space Runner MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

80%
2007
64.8%
2005
64.3%
2004
71%
2003
66.7%
2002
66.7%
2000
67.7%
1999
69.4%
1998
68%
1997
66.5%
1996
65.6%
1995
64.7%
1994
65.1%
1993
63.4%
1992
69.8%
1991

Mitsubishi Space Runner Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Brake pipe excessively corroded 1,458
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1,453
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 1,394
Stop lamp not working 814
Steering rack gaiter split 786
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 654
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 622
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 546
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 536
position lamp(s) not working 507

Mitsubishi Space Runner Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
2,497 mi/yr
Typical
4,832 mi/yr
Average
5,739 mi/yr
Heavy usage
7,648 mi/yr

Mitsubishi Space Runner MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2007 75 80.0% 93,604 108,057 128,984
2005 105 64.8% 86,748 127,786 158,600
2004 98 64.3% 104,658 137,838 181,686
2003 93 71.0% 39,044 70,483 125,896
2002 60 66.7% 38,025 57,400 75,482
2000 502 66.7% 56,539 79,461 110,412
1999 585 67.7% 65,523 83,489 100,930
1998 2,049 69.4% 59,783 83,059 108,115
1997 2,773 68.0% 67,188 85,858 106,525
1996 3,154 66.5% 71,023 90,801 111,710
1995 2,883 65.6% 75,013 96,013 118,392
1994 2,126 64.7% 82,447 103,220 127,231
1993 1,740 65.1% 80,113 100,856 123,990
1992 1,573 63.4% 86,377 110,790 135,446
1991 182 69.8% 100,836 123,693 141,430

How Long Does a Mitsubishi Space Runner Last?

Based on 2,340 Mitsubishi Space Runner vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.7 years
Median
14.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
35 years

Mitsubishi Space Runner Mileage Distribution

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

Median
94,076 mi
75th Percentile
118,477 mi
95th Percentile
160,486 mi
Max Recorded
998,899 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Mitsubishi Space Runner

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

Best year
2007

80.0% MOT pass rate from 75 tests

Year to avoid
1992

63.4% MOT pass rate from 1,573 tests

The best year to buy a used Mitsubishi Space Runner is 2007, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.0% across 75 tests. The 1992 model year has the lowest pass rate at 63.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Mitsubishi Space Runner Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Mitsubishi Space Runner THIS CAR 66.4% 18,113 94,076 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
Triumph Dolomite 72.4% 17,210 55,935 mi 54 yrs

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

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Should you buy a used Mitsubishi Space Runner?

The Mitsubishi Space Runner has an overall MOT pass rate of 66.4% across 18,113 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Mitsubishi Space Runner are brake pipe excessively corroded (1,458 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1,453), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (1,394). 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 Space Runner owner drives around 4,832 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 Space Runner 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 Space Runner — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mitsubishi Space Runner reliable?
Based on 18,113 MOT tests, the Mitsubishi Space Runner has a 66.4% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Mitsubishi Space Runner?
The most common MOT failures are brake pipe excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Mitsubishi Space Runner do per year?
The typical Mitsubishi Space Runner does around 4,832 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Mitsubishi Space Runner last?
Most Mitsubishi Space Runner models stay on UK roads for around 35 years based on our analysis of 2,340 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Mitsubishi Space Runner?
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 Space Runner?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Mitsubishi Space Runner is 2007 with a 80.0% pass rate across 75 tests.