1998 Mitsubishi 3000 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1998 Mitsubishi 3000 passed 76.6% of its 269 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.1 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 25.6%. Failures cluster in suspension, emissions & environmental and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (9.7%) and emissions & environmental (9.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, rigid brake pipes and component mounting prescribed areas — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 32 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 38.6% versus 15.2%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 34.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 21.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.7% | 26 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 9.7% | 26 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 23 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.2% | 22 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.8% | 21 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.6% | 15 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 32 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 21 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 17 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 15 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 13 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 11 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 34.2% | 92 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.5% | 66 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 22.7% | 61 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.6% | 58 |
| 5 | Tyres | 15.6% | 42 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 41 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 79 | 15.2% |
| 90-120k | 99 | 29.3% |
| 120-150k | 44 | 38.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 57 | 21.1% |
| 2022 | 55 | 21.8% |
| 2023 | 64 | 26.6% |
| 2024 | 47 | 23.4% |
| 2025 | 46 | 23.9% |
What to check before buying a 1998 3000
On a 1998 3000, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (9.7% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Emissions & environmental (9.7% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Lighting & signalling (8.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1998 Mitsubishi 3000s pass their MOT?
76.6% of the 269 1998 Mitsubishi 3000 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Mitsubishi 3000?
Suspension, recorded in 9.7% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (9.7%).
Does the 1998 3000 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.2% in the 60-90k band to 38.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 269 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.