What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Mitsubishi Delica.
The Mitsubishi Delica occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Mitsubishi Delica range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Mitsubishi Delica? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
P25W (1989–2007) — Petrol options included the 3.0 V6 Petrol, 3.0 V6 Petrol, with 2.8 Turbo Diesel on the diesel side. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Subframe and mounting point corrosion (£1,500–£3,000 to address).
D5 (2007–2021) — Engine options included the 3.0 V6 Petrol, 3.0 V6 Petrol.
The load-bearing subframe structure around suspension mounting points suffers severe corrosion on diesel variants, particularly around the rear suspension pickup points and chassis rails. This affects structural rigidity and can lead to sudden suspension component failure. MOT data shows 2.8-litre diesel variants fail at 16.9 times the fleet average for subframe structural defects at high mileage. Many grey imports have spent years in coastal areas of Japan before UK import, accelerating the corrosion process.
Structural failure around suspension mounting points creates an immediate safety hazard and MOT failure. Complete chassis repair typically requires specialist welding and fabrication work costing £2,000-£5,000. In severe cases the vehicle may be beyond economical repair. The vehicle should not be driven if structural integrity is compromised.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
Suspension bushes, ball joints, and shock absorber mounts wear excessively due to the commercial vehicle design and often heavy loading history. MOT data shows this model fails at 12.5 times the fleet average for worn suspension joints, with diesel variants particularly affected at high mileage. The leaf spring rear suspension is robust but bushes deteriorate, while front wishbone bushes and ball joints require regular replacement.
Worn suspension components cause poor handling, irregular tyre wear, and eventual MOT failure. Complete front suspension rebuild typically costs £800-£1,500 depending on components needed. Driving with severely worn suspension affects braking performance and vehicle stability.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The steering rack protective gaiters (rubber boots) fail at an exceptionally high rate, allowing dirt and moisture to contaminate the steering rack mechanism. MOT data shows 2.8-litre diesel variants fail at 20.2 times the fleet average for missing or ineffective steering rack gaiters. Once contaminated, the steering rack internals wear rapidly and require expensive replacement or reconditioning.
Failed gaiters allow dirt contamination that destroys the steering rack internals within 6-12 months. Steering rack replacement or reconditioning costs £600-£1,200. Progressive steering failure creates a safety hazard and immediate MOT failure. Early gaiter replacement prevents expensive rack damage.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
Front and rear wheel bearings fail at 8.2 times the fleet average on 2.8-litre diesel variants, particularly at high mileage. The commercial vehicle design and often heavy loading history accelerates bearing wear. Failed bearings create safety risks through wheel wobble and can lead to wheel detachment in extreme cases.
Worn wheel bearings cause progressively worse vibration, noise, and handling problems. Complete bearing failure can result in wheel detachment and loss of vehicle control. Replacement typically costs £150-£300 per corner including labour. The vehicle should not be driven if bearings have significant play.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The hydraulic power steering system suffers from pump wear, fluid leaks, and hose deterioration at high mileage. MOT data shows 2.8-litre diesel variants fail at 5.7 times the fleet average for power steering defects, though the trend is improving. The system uses specific power steering fluid and many grey imports have incorrect fluid or have not had regular fluid changes.
Power steering failure makes the vehicle difficult to manoeuvre at low speeds but does not prevent driving. Pump replacement costs £300-£600 plus labour. Complete system rebuild including rack can cost £800-£1,500. The vehicle remains controllable but requires significantly more steering effort.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Mitsubishi Delica common problems page.
Based on 7k real DVSA MOT tests, the Mitsubishi Delica fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is abs fault at 84x the fleet average, followed by coil springs broken (52x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Mitsubishi Delica MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 6k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Mitsubishi Delica service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Mitsubishi Delica has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Mitsubishi Delica, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Mitsubishi Delica issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.