2003 Mitsubishi Delica — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 643 MOT tests, the 2003 Mitsubishi Delica recorded a 68.7% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.7% of the time, so this is 3.6pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.9%) and suspension (17.1%) 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, rear fog lamp and rigid brake pipes — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 129 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 26.1% in the 60-90k band and 33.0% in the 150k+ band, a 6.8-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 32.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.9% | 115 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.1% | 110 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.6% | 81 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.6% | 81 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.6% | 55 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.1% | 46 |
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 | 129 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 62 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 53 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 44 |
| 5 | Steering rack | 40 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 35 |
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 | 32.5% | 209 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.3% | 195 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 27.8% | 179 |
| 4 | Other defects | 18.8% | 121 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.3% | 105 |
| 6 | Tyres | 15.6% | 100 |
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 | 88 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 119 | 33.6% |
| 120-150k | 119 | 33.6% |
| 150k+ | 264 | 33.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 484 | 33.9% |
| Petrol | 159 | 23.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 174 | 31.6% |
| 2022 | 140 | 28.6% |
| 2023 | 140 | 34.3% |
| 2024 | 97 | 30.9% |
| 2025 | 92 | 30.4% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Delica
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.1% 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.
- Brakes (12.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2003 Mitsubishi Delicas pass their MOT?
68.7% of the 643 2003 Mitsubishi Delica MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Mitsubishi Delica?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.9% of tests, followed by suspension (17.1%).
Does the 2003 Delica get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.1% in the 60-90k band to 33.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 643 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.