2015 Mitsubishi Delica — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 338 MOT tests, the 2015 Mitsubishi Delica recorded a 68.9% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 15.8% of the time, so this is 15.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.3% of all tests — 6.5 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, wipers and service brake performance — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 24 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2015 Delica fails 28.3% of the time in the 60-90k band and 31.9% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.6 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 35.7% in 2021 to 27.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 62 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.8% | 40 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.4% | 35 |
| 4 | Visibility | 9.8% | 33 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.2% | 31 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.3% | 18 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 24 |
| 2 | Wipers | 24 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 23 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 21 |
| 5 | Joints | 19 |
| 6 | Washers | 17 |
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 | 37.3% | 126 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 23.4% | 79 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.8% | 77 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.1% | 68 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.6% | 56 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.5% | 49 |
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 | 60 | 28.3% |
| 90-120k | 78 | 30.8% |
| 120-150k | 100 | 33.0% |
| 150k+ | 72 | 31.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 232 | 32.8% |
| Diesel | 106 | 27.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 84 | 35.7% |
| 2022 | 82 | 32.9% |
| 2023 | 72 | 27.8% |
| 2024 | 52 | 28.8% |
| 2025 | 48 | 27.1% |
What to check before buying a 2015 Delica
On a 2015 Delica, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.8% 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.
- Suspension (10.4% 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.
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 2015 Mitsubishi Delicas pass their MOT?
68.9% of the 338 2015 Mitsubishi Delica MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Mitsubishi Delica?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.3% of tests, followed by brakes (11.8%).
Does the 2015 Delica get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.3% in the 60-90k band to 31.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 338 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.