2004 Mitsubishi Pajero — MOT failures & pass rate
2,142 MOT tests on the 2004 Mitsubishi Pajero are in this dataset, and 76.0% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.7% of the time, so this is 3.8pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.7%) and body, structure & corrosion (12.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, integral vehicle structure condition and prescribed areas — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 175 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2004 Pajero fails 24.7% of the time in the 60-90k band and 24.1% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.6 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 39.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.6% in 2021 to 21.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 293 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.4% | 266 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.4% | 222 |
| 4 | Suspension | 9.8% | 211 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.7% | 100 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.6% | 98 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 175 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 174 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 160 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 131 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 123 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 113 |
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 | 39.7% | 850 |
| 2 | Suspension | 39.2% | 839 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 31.5% | 674 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 29.8% | 638 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.7% | 337 |
| 6 | Steering | 14.4% | 308 |
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 | 182 | 24.7% |
| 90-120k | 329 | 22.2% |
| 120-150k | 505 | 25.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,096 | 24.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,018 | 23.8% |
| Petrol | 124 | 26.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 661 | 25.6% |
| 2022 | 548 | 23.5% |
| 2023 | 445 | 22.5% |
| 2024 | 271 | 25.5% |
| 2025 | 217 | 21.2% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Pajero
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.4% 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 (10.4% 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 2004 Mitsubishi Pajeros pass their MOT?
76.0% of the 2,142 2004 Mitsubishi Pajero MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Mitsubishi Pajero?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.7% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (12.4%).
Does the 2004 Pajero get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.7% in the 60-90k band to 24.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,142 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.