2005 Mitsubishi Grandis — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,223 MOT tests, the 2005 Mitsubishi Grandis recorded a 70.7% pass rate. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (30.0% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.2% of tests against 16.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 228 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 23.5% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 30.5% once past 150k.
The petrol cars hold up better: 28.5% fail against 31.3% for diesel, a 2.8-point gap across 2,223 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 37.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.8% in 2021 to 27.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 427 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.2% | 359 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.3% | 230 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 10.0% | 222 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.6% | 146 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.6% | 146 |
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 | 228 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 223 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 184 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 166 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 135 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 123 |
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 | 37.7% | 839 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.8% | 728 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.3% | 651 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 25.1% | 559 |
| 5 | Other defects | 25.0% | 556 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.3% | 341 |
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 | 98 | 23.5% |
| 60-90k | 360 | 28.6% |
| 90-120k | 629 | 29.6% |
| 120-150k | 651 | 29.8% |
| 150k+ | 475 | 30.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,606 | 28.5% |
| Diesel | 617 | 31.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 664 | 29.8% |
| 2022 | 534 | 28.8% |
| 2023 | 420 | 29.0% |
| 2024 | 338 | 30.5% |
| 2025 | 267 | 27.7% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Grandis
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.2% 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 (10.3% 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 2005 Mitsubishi Grandiss pass their MOT?
70.7% of the 2,223 2005 Mitsubishi Grandis MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mitsubishi Grandis?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.2% of tests, followed by suspension (16.2%).
Does the 2005 Grandis get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.5% in the 30-60k band to 30.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,223 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.