1996 Mitsubishi Pajero — MOT failures & pass rate
397 MOT tests on the 1996 Mitsubishi Pajero are in this dataset, and 78.1% of them passed. That is 2.6 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 24.5%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.8%) and body, structure & corrosion (11.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are chassis condition, rear fog lamp and exhaust system — chassis condition alone was recorded 32 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.7% in the 60-90k band and 25.2% in the 150k+ band, a 4.5-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 35.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 22.6% in 2021 to 18.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.8% | 47 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.6% | 46 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.8% | 31 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.3% | 29 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.3% | 21 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 19 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chassis condition | 32 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 19 |
| 3 | Exhaust system | 18 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 15 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 14 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 14 |
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 | 35.5% | 141 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.8% | 130 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.9% | 95 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.2% | 84 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.1% | 64 |
| 6 | Tyres | 15.4% | 61 |
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 | 58 | 20.7% |
| 90-120k | 64 | 15.6% |
| 120-150k | 105 | 21.9% |
| 150k+ | 155 | 25.2% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 333 | 21.9% |
| Petrol | 64 | 21.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 62 | 22.6% |
| 2022 | 56 | 16.1% |
| 2023 | 64 | 18.8% |
| 2024 | 118 | 28.8% |
| 2025 | 97 | 18.6% |
What to check before buying a 1996 Pajero
On a 1996 Pajero, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.6% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Brakes (7.8% 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.
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 1996 Mitsubishi Pajeros pass their MOT?
78.1% of the 397 1996 Mitsubishi Pajero MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1996 Mitsubishi Pajero?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.8% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (11.6%).
Does the 1996 Pajero get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.7% in the 60-90k band to 25.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 397 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.