2018 Mitsubishi Delica — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 319 MOT tests, the 2018 Mitsubishi Delica recorded a 74.3% pass rate. That is 15.1 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 10.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.8% of tests against 9.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rear fog lamp and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 27 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.1% in the 60-90k band and 41.5% in the 150k+ band, a 24.4-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 27.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 23.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 35.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.8% | 60 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.1% | 29 |
| 3 | Visibility | 8.5% | 27 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.2% | 26 |
| 5 | Suspension | 7.8% | 25 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.6% | 18 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 27 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 21 |
| 3 | Wipers | 21 |
| 4 | Joints | 18 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 16 |
| 6 | Steering rack | 15 |
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 | 27.3% | 87 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.2% | 58 |
| 3 | Other defects | 16.3% | 52 |
| 4 | Tyres | 14.7% | 47 |
| 5 | Steering | 11.3% | 36 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.0% | 35 |
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 | 76 | 17.1% |
| 90-120k | 83 | 21.7% |
| 120-150k | 69 | 29.0% |
| 150k+ | 65 | 41.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 289 | 24.9% |
| Diesel | 30 | 33.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 74 | 23.0% |
| 2022 | 77 | 24.7% |
| 2023 | 68 | 22.1% |
| 2024 | 49 | 26.5% |
| 2025 | 51 | 35.3% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Delica
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.1% 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.
- Visibility (8.5% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2018 Mitsubishi Delicas pass their MOT?
74.3% of the 319 2018 Mitsubishi Delica MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Mitsubishi Delica?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.8% of tests, followed by brakes (9.1%).
Does the 2018 Delica get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.1% in the 60-90k band to 41.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 319 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.