Mitsubishi Pajero MOT Failures
An analysis of 18,897 real DVSA MOT tests on the Mitsubishi Pajero — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: Gen2 (1991–1999), Gen3 (2000–2006).
Where the Mitsubishi Pajero fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Mitsubishi Pajero is track rod ends worn — this model is 59 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 18,897 MOT tests, 7.87% of all Mitsubishi Pajero tests recorded this as a failure.
Steering faults include worn track rod ends, power steering leaks, and rack wear. These are safety-critical — any play in the steering should be investigated immediately.
Other notable weak points include seat mounting fault (26x the fleet average), free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (77x the fleet average), structural corrosion (27x the fleet average), and abs fault (26x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Mitsubishi Pajero'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: Steering, Seatbelts & Airbags, Bodywork, Suspension. If you're inspecting a Mitsubishi Pajero 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 Pajero'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.
For the Mitsubishi Pajero specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are structural corrosion (27x the average) and seat mounting fault (26x). vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (22x) and anti-roll bar links worn (15x) also appear frequently.
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 Pajero specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (77x the average) and track rod ends worn (59x). fixings missing or insecure (29x) and obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or... (27x) also appear frequently.
The shift from structural corrosion at lower mileages to free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... 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.
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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 Pajero specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Chassis and subframe structural corrosion Dangerous
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. Affects Gen2, Gen3; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,500–£5,000.
Steering system excessive wear and play Dangerous
The steering rack and associated linkages on the Pajero suffer from premature wear, creating excessive free play at the steering wheel. Affects Gen2, Gen3; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£800.
Wheel bearing failure Major
Wheel bearings on the Pajero fail at 14 times the fleet average according to MOT data, with 1,685 recorded failures. Affects Gen2, Gen3; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
Brake line corrosion and failure Major
Brake pipes and flexible hoses corrode at 5.4 times the fleet average on the Pajero, with 5,014 MOT failures recorded. Affects Gen2, Gen3; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£400.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Mitsubishi Pajero common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Mitsubishi Pajero
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Mitsubishi Pajero:
Steering — check for track rod ends worn, free play in the steering, measured at the rim .... Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault. Bodywork — check for structural corrosion, body, cab or chassis corroded at a mounting point, fixings missing or insecure.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about chassis and subframe structural corrosion and steering system excessive wear and play. 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.
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Mitsubishi Pajero MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Mitsubishi Pajero?
Based on 18,897 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is track rod ends worn — at 59x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include seat mounting fault and free play in the steering, measured at the rim ....
Is the Mitsubishi Pajero reliable based on MOT data?
The Mitsubishi Pajero has 15 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag chassis and subframe structural corrosion as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Mitsubishi Pajero most commonly fails on free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... and track rod ends worn. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are .
How do I check a Mitsubishi Pajero's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
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.