2007 Mitsubishi I — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 Mitsubishi I passed 78.6% of its 845 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 26.8% of the time, so this is 5.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 13.4% of all tests — 4.7 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and stop lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 58 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.9% in the 0-30k band and 25.0% in the 90-120k band, a 6.0-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 28.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 19.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 113 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.6% | 73 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.2% | 52 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.5% | 38 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.7% | 31 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.7% | 31 |
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 | 58 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 33 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 31 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 30 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 29 |
| 6 | Wipers | 28 |
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 | 28.9% | 244 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.2% | 238 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.9% | 219 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.0% | 144 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 111 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.7% | 82 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 95 | 18.9% |
| 30-60k | 360 | 18.1% |
| 60-90k | 321 | 25.6% |
| 90-120k | 64 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 212 | 19.8% |
| 2022 | 194 | 22.7% |
| 2023 | 168 | 22.6% |
| 2024 | 145 | 20.0% |
| 2025 | 126 | 22.2% |
What to check before buying a 2007 I
On a 2007 I, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.6% 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.
- Visibility (6.2% 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 2007 Mitsubishi Is pass their MOT?
78.6% of the 845 2007 Mitsubishi I MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Mitsubishi I?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.4% of tests, followed by suspension (8.6%).
Does the 2007 I get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.9% in the 0-30k band to 25.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 845 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.