2002 Mitsubishi Delica — MOT failures & pass rate
335 MOT tests on the 2002 Mitsubishi Delica are in this dataset, and 68.7% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.3% fail rate), the 2002 Delica comes out 4.0pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.1%) and suspension (13.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, steering rack and joints — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 35 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 25.6% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 41.0% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 38.2% in 2021 to 35.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 54 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.4% | 45 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.5% | 42 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.0% | 37 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.7% | 29 |
| 6 | Visibility | 8.1% | 27 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 35 |
| 2 | Steering rack | 29 |
| 3 | Joints | 26 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 22 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 21 |
| 6 | Washers | 19 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 36.4% | 122 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.9% | 90 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 21.8% | 73 |
| 4 | Other defects | 14.3% | 48 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.3% | 48 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.0% | 47 |
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 | 86 | 25.6% |
| 90-120k | 82 | 29.3% |
| 120-150k | 41 | 31.7% |
| 150k+ | 100 | 41.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 247 | 30.0% |
| Diesel | 88 | 35.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 68 | 38.2% |
| 2022 | 61 | 24.6% |
| 2023 | 59 | 27.1% |
| 2024 | 68 | 29.4% |
| 2025 | 79 | 35.4% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Delica
On a 2002 Delica, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.4% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.5% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2002 Mitsubishi Delicas pass their MOT?
68.7% of the 335 2002 Mitsubishi Delica MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mitsubishi Delica?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.1% of tests, followed by suspension (13.4%).
Does the 2002 Delica get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.6% in the 60-90k band to 41.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 335 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.