2002 Mitsubishi Pajero — MOT failures & pass rate
792 MOT tests on the 2002 Mitsubishi Pajero are in this dataset, and 72.7% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (27.5% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.8%) and body, structure & corrosion (14.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, component mounting prescribed areas and prescribed areas — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 74 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.9% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 32.0% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 40.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.9% in 2021 to 22.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 133 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.0% | 111 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.6% | 100 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.9% | 86 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.6% | 52 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.7% | 37 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 74 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 72 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 54 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 52 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 47 |
| 6 | Wipers | 45 |
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 | 40.3% | 319 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.9% | 284 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 31.2% | 247 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 24.5% | 194 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.8% | 141 |
| 6 | Steering | 15.8% | 125 |
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 | 67 | 17.9% |
| 90-120k | 127 | 21.3% |
| 120-150k | 163 | 23.9% |
| 150k+ | 413 | 32.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 672 | 27.7% |
| Petrol | 120 | 25.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 233 | 30.9% |
| 2022 | 198 | 26.3% |
| 2023 | 166 | 27.1% |
| 2024 | 107 | 25.2% |
| 2025 | 88 | 22.7% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Pajero
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (14.0% 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 (12.6% 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.
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 2002 Mitsubishi Pajeros pass their MOT?
72.7% of the 792 2002 Mitsubishi Pajero MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mitsubishi Pajero?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.8% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (14.0%).
Does the 2002 Pajero get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.9% in the 60-90k band to 32.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 792 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.