Mitsubishi Delica MOT Failures

An analysis of 7,258 real DVSA MOT tests on the Mitsubishi Delica — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: P25W (1989–2007), D5 (2007–2021).

Where the Mitsubishi Delica fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Mitsubishi Delica is abs fault — this model is 84 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 7,258 MOT tests, 12.29% of all Mitsubishi Delica tests recorded this as a failure.

Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.

Other notable weak points include steering rack wear (19x the fleet average), anti-roll bar links worn (16x the fleet average), coil springs broken (52x the fleet average), and vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (12x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Mitsubishi Delica's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.

The failures span 4 categories: Suspension, Steering, Bodywork, Lights & Electrics. If you're inspecting a Mitsubishi Delica before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.

How failures change with mileage

The Mitsubishi Delica's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.

60,000 to 100,000 miles

This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.

The standout failure at this mileage is anti-roll bar links worn at 5.5x the fleet average.

Over 100,000 miles

High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.

For the Mitsubishi Delica specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are abs fault (84x the average) and coil springs broken (52x). steering rack wear (19x) and vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (12x) also appear frequently.

The shift from anti-roll bar links worn at lower mileages to abs fault at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.

Known issues beyond the MOT

An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Mitsubishi Delica specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Subframe and mounting point corrosion (P25W) Dangerous

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. Affects P25W; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,500–£3,000.

Suspension component wear (P25W) Major

Suspension bushes, ball joints, and shock absorber mounts wear excessively due to the commercial vehicle design and often heavy loading history. Affects P25W; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£800.

Steering rack gaiter damage (P25W) Major

The steering rack protective gaiters (rubber boots) fail at an exceptionally high rate, allowing dirt and moisture to contaminate the steering rack mechanism. Affects P25W; typical independent garage repair cost is £80–£150.

Wheel bearing failure (P25W) Major

Front and rear wheel bearings fail at 8.2 times the fleet average on 2.8-litre diesel variants, particularly at high mileage. Affects P25W; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£250.

For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Mitsubishi Delica common problems breakdown.

What to check before buying a Mitsubishi Delica

Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Mitsubishi Delica:

Suspension — check for abs fault, anti-roll bar links worn, coil springs broken. Steering — check for steering rack wear.

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about subframe and mounting point corrosion and suspension component wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £1,500. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.

Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.

MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.