2002 Mitsubishi Space Star — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,102 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Mitsubishi Space Star, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 65.3% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 38.0% in the 150k+ group versus 29.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.8% | 416 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 403 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.3% | 280 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.9% | 272 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.2% | 151 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.5% | 115 |
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 | 306 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 208 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 190 |
| 4 | Joints | 163 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 128 |
| 6 | Wipers | 116 |
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 | 42.9% | 901 |
| 2 | Suspension | 42.1% | 884 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.2% | 634 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.6% | 455 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.8% | 438 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.9% | 314 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 37 | 29.7% |
| 30-60k | 479 | 28.6% |
| 60-90k | 683 | 34.0% |
| 90-120k | 566 | 38.3% |
| 120-150k | 226 | 39.8% |
| 150k+ | 108 | 38.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,854 | 34.3% |
| Diesel | 248 | 37.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 676 | 35.4% |
| 2022 | 527 | 35.1% |
| 2023 | 392 | 32.9% |
| 2024 | 301 | 34.2% |
| 2025 | 206 | 35.4% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Space Star
Before buying a 2002 Mitsubishi Space Star, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 19.8% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (19.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (19.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.3% 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 2002 Mitsubishi Space Stars pass their MOT?
65.3% of the 2,102 2002 Mitsubishi Space Star MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mitsubishi Space Star?
Suspension, recorded in 19.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (19.2%).
Does the 2002 Space Star get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.7% in the 0-30k band to 38.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,102 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.