2003 Mitsubishi Space Star — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,006 MOT tests, the 2003 Mitsubishi Space Star recorded a 64.4% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2003 Space Star comes out 7.9pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 21.5% of all tests — 3.3 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 496 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 39.2% versus 19.4%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.8pp more often than petrol ones (36.9% vs 35.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 42.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 21.5% | 647 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 18.2% | 547 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.0% | 482 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.8% | 384 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.7% | 201 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.7% | 201 |
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 | 496 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 342 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 252 |
| 4 | Joints | 233 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 190 |
| 6 | Wipers | 182 |
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 | 42.3% | 1,271 |
| 2 | Suspension | 39.6% | 1,192 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.3% | 912 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.2% | 637 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 20.3% | 609 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.7% | 443 |
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 | 93 | 19.4% |
| 30-60k | 478 | 28.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,024 | 36.2% |
| 90-120k | 883 | 37.8% |
| 120-150k | 368 | 40.2% |
| 150k+ | 158 | 39.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,163 | 35.1% |
| Diesel | 843 | 36.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 984 | 34.5% |
| 2022 | 720 | 35.6% |
| 2023 | 561 | 34.8% |
| 2024 | 433 | 39.0% |
| 2025 | 308 | 35.7% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Space Star
On a 2003 Space Star, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (21.5% 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 (18.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (16.0% 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 2003 Mitsubishi Space Stars pass their MOT?
64.4% of the 3,006 2003 Mitsubishi Space Star MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 35.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Mitsubishi Space Star?
Suspension, recorded in 21.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (18.2%).
Does the 2003 Space Star get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.4% in the 0-30k band to 39.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,006 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.