2001 Mitsubishi Galant — MOT failures & pass rate
386 MOT tests on the 2001 Mitsubishi Galant are in this dataset, and 67.6% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.1% of the time, so this is 5.2pp 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 (20.2%) and suspension (17.4%) 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, headlamp aim and position lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 57 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 35.9% in the 30-60k band and 31.4% in the 150k+ band, a 4.5-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 35.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 33.0% in 2021 to 28.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.2% | 78 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.4% | 67 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.5% | 56 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.1% | 35 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.3% | 32 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.2% | 20 |
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 | 57 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 40 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 28 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 22 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 22 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 21 |
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 | 35.0% | 135 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.0% | 135 |
| 3 | Other defects | 25.1% | 97 |
| 4 | Tyres | 21.8% | 84 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 21.5% | 83 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.7% | 80 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 39 | 35.9% |
| 60-90k | 59 | 20.3% |
| 90-120k | 139 | 30.9% |
| 120-150k | 97 | 41.2% |
| 150k+ | 51 | 31.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 112 | 33.0% |
| 2022 | 88 | 35.2% |
| 2023 | 69 | 33.3% |
| 2024 | 64 | 29.7% |
| 2025 | 53 | 28.3% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Galant
On a 2001 Galant, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.4% 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.
- Brakes (14.5% 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 2001 Mitsubishi Galants pass their MOT?
67.6% of the 386 2001 Mitsubishi Galant MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Mitsubishi Galant?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.2% of tests, followed by suspension (17.4%).
Does the 2001 Galant get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 35.9% in the 30-60k band to 31.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 386 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.