Budget Japanese hatchback — cheap, reliable, forgettable
The original Space Star (1998-2005) was a compact MPV-styled hatchback built in the Netherlands, never a strong seller in the UK and now very rare. The nameplate was revived in some markets for the Mirage city car from 2013. As a used buy, the original offers budget practicality with Japanese reliability, but lacks the character or driving appeal of rivals like the Renault Scenic. Survivors command minimal values.
We track 5 known issues across the Mitsubishi Space STAR 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 Space STAR? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
DG0 (1998–2005) — Petrol options included the 1.3 Petrol, 1.6 Petrol, 1.6 16v Petrol, 1.8 GDI Petrol, with 1.9 DI-D 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 mounting point structural corrosion (£800–£1,500 to address).
The load-bearing structure within 30cm of suspension component mounting points suffers from premature corrosion on the Space Star, particularly around the front subframe attachment areas. MOT data shows this model fails at 58.8 times the national fleet average for structural integrity issues. The thin steel used in construction combined with poor factory rust protection makes this a critical safety defect that appears earlier than expected for the vehicle age.
Structural failure of subframe mounting points can cause sudden loss of suspension geometry and steering control, creating an immediate accident risk. Welded repairs are complex and expensive, typically requiring subframe removal. Many cars are written off when this defect reaches MOT failure level.
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.
Front suspension bushes, ball joints and control arm joints wear at an exceptionally high rate on the Space Star, with MOT data showing 59.1 times the national fleet average for excessive wear. The combination of soft rubber compounds and high loading from the car's weight distribution causes premature degradation. This affects handling, tyre wear, and can lead to MOT failure from as low as 40,000 miles.
Worn suspension components compromise handling and braking performance, increase tyre wear significantly, and will eventually cause MOT failure. Complete front suspension refresh may be needed by 80,000 miles. The car remains safe to drive with minor wear but deteriorates rapidly once excessive play develops.
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 Space Star suffers from widespread structural corrosion that reduces overall body rigidity, with MOT data showing Areas particularly affected include door frames, sills, and rear wheel arches. The thin steel construction and minimal factory rust protection means corrosion progresses rapidly once established, often requiring extensive welding work.
Progressive structural corrosion reduces crash protection and can eventually make the vehicle unsafe or uneconomical to repair. Extensive welding work may be needed to maintain MOT compliance. Many examples become uneconomical to repair when structural corrosion becomes extensive.
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.
Brake flexible hoses deteriorate at 18.9 times the national fleet average, showing excessive damage, chafing, or stretching. The rubber compounds appear to age poorly, particularly where hoses flex during steering and suspension movement. This is a safety-critical defect that can progress to brake failure if hoses rupture under pressure.
Deteriorated brake hoses can rupture without warning, causing complete brake failure to the affected circuit. Even minor deterioration reduces braking efficiency and pedal feel. This is a safety-critical defect requiring immediate repair when identified.
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.
Driveshaft CV joint boots fail at 28.4 times the national fleet average, with both complete failure and severe deterioration being common. The rubber compounds used appear to be particularly susceptible to age-related cracking and splitting. Once the boot fails, dirt and water contaminate the CV joint grease, leading to joint wear and eventual replacement requirements.
Failed boots allow water and dirt to contaminate CV joint grease, leading to joint wear and eventual failure. Early detection allows boot replacement at relatively low cost. Once joints are damaged, complete driveshaft replacement is typically required at significantly higher cost.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Mitsubishi Space STAR common problems page.
Based on 13k real DVSA MOT tests, the Mitsubishi Space STAR fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is transmission joint, belt or chain worn at 118x the fleet average, followed by brake hoses perished or damaged (74x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Mitsubishi Space STAR MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £45–£70 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include timing belt (£350–£500).
See the full Mitsubishi Space STAR service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Mitsubishi Space STAR 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. The 2002-2005 models with the 1.9 DI-D diesel are the most sensible choice, offering the best fuel economy and adequate performance. The 1.8 GDI petrol should be avoided due to its complex direct-injection system. Any example needs a full service history to be worth considering.
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 Space STAR, 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 Space STAR issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.