2001 Mitsubishi Space Star — MOT failures & pass rate
845 MOT tests on the 2001 Mitsubishi Space Star are in this dataset, and 67.5% of them passed. That is 5.3 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.2%) and suspension (14.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, joints and headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 99 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 26.2% in the 30-60k band and 39.6% in the 150k+ band, a 13.4-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 40.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 30.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 34.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 145 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.3% | 121 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.9% | 109 |
| 4 | Brakes | 12.3% | 104 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 62 |
| 6 | Tyres | 7.1% | 60 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 99 |
| 2 | Joints | 60 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 57 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 55 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 44 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 42 |
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 | 40.5% | 342 |
| 2 | Suspension | 40.2% | 340 |
| 3 | Tyres | 33.0% | 279 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.1% | 195 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 21.2% | 179 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.9% | 126 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 164 | 26.2% |
| 60-90k | 332 | 31.6% |
| 90-120k | 218 | 34.4% |
| 120-150k | 74 | 39.2% |
| 150k+ | 53 | 39.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 268 | 30.6% |
| 2022 | 207 | 32.9% |
| 2023 | 167 | 33.5% |
| 2024 | 124 | 33.9% |
| 2025 | 79 | 34.2% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Space Star
On a 2001 Space Star, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.3% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.9% 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+.
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 Space Stars pass their MOT?
67.5% of the 845 2001 Mitsubishi Space Star MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Mitsubishi Space Star?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.2% of tests, followed by suspension (14.3%).
Does the 2001 Space Star get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.2% in the 30-60k band to 39.6% in the 150k+ 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.