2004 Mitsubishi Space Star — MOT failures & pass rate
4,515 MOT tests on the 2004 Mitsubishi Space Star are in this dataset, and 64.4% of them passed. That is 7.9 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.7%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 22.0% of tests against 17.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 771 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 42.7% versus 14.9%.
The petrol cars hold up better: 34.8% fail against 37.8% for diesel, a 3.0-point gap across 4,515 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 43.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 22.0% | 992 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 782 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.5% | 747 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.7% | 528 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.5% | 295 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.5% | 293 |
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 | 771 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 461 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 421 |
| 4 | Joints | 318 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 309 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 302 |
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 | 43.4% | 1,959 |
| 2 | Suspension | 39.1% | 1,767 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.4% | 1,372 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.3% | 963 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.5% | 928 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 12.3% | 553 |
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 | 67 | 14.9% |
| 30-60k | 886 | 28.8% |
| 60-90k | 1,626 | 35.4% |
| 90-120k | 1,128 | 38.5% |
| 120-150k | 590 | 40.5% |
| 150k+ | 218 | 42.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,321 | 34.8% |
| Diesel | 1,194 | 37.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,401 | 35.5% |
| 2022 | 1,122 | 36.4% |
| 2023 | 860 | 34.9% |
| 2024 | 648 | 35.5% |
| 2025 | 484 | 35.1% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Space Star
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 22.0% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (22.0% 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 (17.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (16.5% 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 Space Stars pass their MOT?
64.4% of the 4,515 2004 Mitsubishi Space Star MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 35.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Mitsubishi Space Star?
Suspension, recorded in 22.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (17.3%).
Does the 2004 Space Star get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.9% in the 0-30k band to 42.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,515 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.