Mitsubishi Starion Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mitsubishi Starion car check
Is the Mitsubishi Starion reliable? We analysed 1,642 real MOT tests across 267 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mitsubishi Starion? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mitsubishi Starion is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mitsubishi Starion.
Mitsubishi Starion Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mitsubishi Starion. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mitsubishi Starion MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mitsubishi Starion to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mitsubishi Starion Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mitsubishi Starion fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mitsubishi Starion Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mitsubishi Starion owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mitsubishi Starion MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mitsubishi Starion year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 157 | 73.2% | 72,399 | 89,237 | 113,390 |
| 1989 | 352 | 72.4% | 78,275 | 92,684 | 107,686 |
| 1988 | 574 | 67.2% | 83,308 | 102,402 | 118,580 |
| 1987 | 240 | 75.8% | 82,689 | 94,482 | 120,931 |
| 1986 | 213 | 71.8% | 77,420 | 99,306 | 110,972 |
How Long Does a Mitsubishi Starion Last?
Based on 267 Mitsubishi Starion vehicles on UK roads.
Mitsubishi Starion Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mitsubishi Starion 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 Starion
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
75.8% MOT pass rate from 240 tests
67.2% MOT pass rate from 574 tests
The best year to buy a used Mitsubishi Starion is 1987, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 75.8% across 240 tests. The 1988 model year has the lowest pass rate at 67.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mitsubishi Starion Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Starion THIS CAR | 71.1% | 1,642 | 97,586 mi | 40 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 Street Triple R Abs | 89.1% | 1,605 | 12,580 mi | 13 yrs |
Compared to the Mitsubishi L200 (74.1% pass rate) and the Mitsubishi Shogun (71.9% pass rate), the Mitsubishi Starion trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Mitsubishi Starion 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 StarionShould you buy a used Mitsubishi Starion?
The Mitsubishi Starion has an overall MOT pass rate of 71.1% across 1,642 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Mitsubishi Starion are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (165 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (101), and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (88). 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 Starion owner drives around 597 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 Starion models stay on UK roads for around 40 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.