2005 Mitsubishi Space Star — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2005 Mitsubishi Space Star passed 65.6% of its 2,628 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (27.6% fail rate), the 2005 Space Star comes out 6.8pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (19.6%) and brakes (17.9%) 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, headlamp aim and headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 427 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.3% in the 0-30k band and 42.5% in the 150k+ band, a 22.3-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 43.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 33.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 36.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.6% | 514 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.9% | 471 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 416 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.6% | 278 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.6% | 174 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.5% | 172 |
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 | 427 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 242 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 231 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 203 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 193 |
| 6 | Joints | 178 |
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 | 43.3% | 1,137 |
| 2 | Suspension | 38.1% | 1,001 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.4% | 824 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.1% | 554 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.8% | 520 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.1% | 318 |
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 | 79 | 20.3% |
| 30-60k | 495 | 27.1% |
| 60-90k | 977 | 35.1% |
| 90-120k | 643 | 35.5% |
| 120-150k | 335 | 41.2% |
| 150k+ | 94 | 42.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,199 | 34.0% |
| Diesel | 429 | 36.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 801 | 33.8% |
| 2022 | 623 | 33.9% |
| 2023 | 494 | 34.0% |
| 2024 | 395 | 34.7% |
| 2025 | 315 | 36.8% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Space Star
On a 2005 Space Star, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (19.6% 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.
- Brakes (17.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (15.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2005 Mitsubishi Space Stars pass their MOT?
65.6% of the 2,628 2005 Mitsubishi Space Star MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mitsubishi Space Star?
Suspension, recorded in 19.6% of tests, followed by brakes (17.9%).
Does the 2005 Space Star get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.3% in the 0-30k band to 42.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,628 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.