2001 Mitsubishi Pajero — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 596 MOT tests, the 2001 Mitsubishi Pajero recorded a 74.5% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.1% of the time, so this is 1.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.9%) and body, structure & corrosion (12.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are chassis condition, prescribed areas and rear fog lamp — chassis condition alone was recorded 47 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 9.3% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 26.6% once past 150k — 2.9× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 89 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.8% | 76 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.2% | 67 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.1% | 48 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.0% | 30 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.7% | 28 |
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 | 47 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 43 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 43 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 43 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 38 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 33 |
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 | 36.6% | 218 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.9% | 208 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 27.2% | 162 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.0% | 155 |
| 5 | Other defects | 18.6% | 111 |
| 6 | Tyres | 15.6% | 93 |
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 | 43 | 9.3% |
| 90-120k | 99 | 32.3% |
| 120-150k | 134 | 23.1% |
| 150k+ | 301 | 26.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 515 | 25.2% |
| Petrol | 81 | 27.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 169 | 26.6% |
| 2022 | 135 | 22.2% |
| 2023 | 116 | 20.7% |
| 2024 | 97 | 32.0% |
| 2025 | 79 | 27.9% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Pajero
On a 2001 Pajero, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.8% 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+.
- Suspension (11.2% 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.
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 Pajeros pass their MOT?
74.5% of the 596 2001 Mitsubishi Pajero MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Mitsubishi Pajero?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.9% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (12.8%).
Does the 2001 Pajero get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.3% in the 60-90k band to 26.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 596 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.