Rally-bred off-roader built to outlast everything else
Known as the Shogun in the UK market, the Pajero is a legendary full-size off-roader with Dakar Rally heritage, produced across four generations from 1982 to 2021. It competes with the Toyota Land Cruiser and Land Rover Discovery but at lower prices. Mitsubishi's withdrawal from UK sales in 2021 has made the final-generation models increasingly sought-after, while the market is also flooded with cheaper Japanese-spec Pajero imports that may not match UK specifications.
We track 5 known issues across the Mitsubishi Pajero range, including 2 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Mitsubishi Pajero? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
Gen2 (1991–1999) — Engine options included the 2.5 TD, 2.5 TD, 2.8 TD, 2.8 TDi. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 2 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Chassis and subframe structural corrosion (£1,500–£5,000 to address).
Gen3 (2000–2006) — Engine options included the 2.5 TDi, 2.5 TDi, 2.8 TDi, 2.8 TDi, 2.8 TDi. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 2 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Chassis and subframe structural corrosion (£1,500–£5,000 to address).
The Pajero's ladder-frame chassis and mounting points for suspension and subframe components are highly susceptible to corrosion, particularly around the rear spring hangers, shock absorber mounts, and chassis rails. The combination of exposed chassis construction and inadequate factory protection leads to severe weakening of load-bearing areas. This affects the vehicle's fundamental structural integrity and is a major safety concern.
Structural failure can occur without warning, potentially causing loss of control or component detachment while driving. Repair requires extensive welding work often exceeding the vehicle's value. Many examples become economically unrepairable once corrosion reaches advanced stages.
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.
The steering rack and associated linkages on the Pajero suffer from premature wear, creating excessive free play at the steering wheel. MOT data shows steering play failures at 86.5 times the fleet average, with ball joint wear at 34.2 times average. The combination of heavy vehicle weight, off-road use history, and inadequate sealing of steering components leads to accelerated deterioration. This represents a serious safety hazard as steering response becomes unpredictable.
Complete loss of steering control can occur without warning. Vehicle may become impossible to control in emergency situations. Complete steering rack replacement typically required rather than component repair.
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.
Wheel bearings on the Pajero fail at 14 times the fleet average according to MOT data, with 1,685 recorded failures. The heavy vehicle weight combined with off-road use puts excessive stress on the bearing assemblies. Poor sealing allows contamination to enter the bearings, accelerating wear. Both front and rear bearings are affected, with failure typically occurring between 100,000-150,000 miles.
Complete bearing failure can cause wheel detachment and loss of vehicle control. Continued driving on worn bearings will damage the hub assembly and brake components, significantly increasing repair costs.
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.
Brake pipes and flexible hoses corrode at 5.4 times the fleet average on the Pajero, with 5,014 MOT failures recorded. The exposed brake line routing and inadequate protection from road salt and debris leads to perforation of steel brake pipes. Flexible brake hoses also deteriorate due to age and exposure. This creates a direct safety hazard through potential brake system failure.
Complete brake failure can occur without warning if brake lines rupture. Even minor leaks reduce braking efficiency and can lead to brake fade. Repair involves replacement of corroded sections and full system bleeding.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
Suspension bushes, joints, and shock absorber components fail at significantly higher rates than average on the Pajero. MOT data shows shock absorber bush failures at 13.6 times fleet average and general suspension component wear at 8.7 times average. The heavy vehicle weight, tall ride height, and off-road capability result in high stress on suspension components, causing premature wear of rubber bushes and joint seals.
Worn suspension components reduce vehicle stability and handling precision. Complete failure of components can affect roadworthiness and MOT compliance. Replacement is typically required rather than repair of individual components.
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.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Mitsubishi Pajero common problems page.
Based on 13k real DVSA MOT tests, the Mitsubishi Pajero fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... at 77x the fleet average, followed by track rod ends worn (59x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Mitsubishi Pajero 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 Pajero service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Mitsubishi Pajero has some well-documented weak points, including 2 safety-critical issues 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. The 2012-2019 fourth-generation facelift is the best all-round choice — improved interior, refined engine calibration, and the most modern safety equipment. For budget buyers, 2007-2011 Mk4 pre-facelift models offer the same fundamentals at lower cost. Avoid 2000-2006 3.2 DI-D cars without proof of radiator replacement.
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 Pajero, 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 Pajero issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.