2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagon — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 366 MOT tests, the 2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagon recorded a 66.4% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2003 Space Wagon comes out 5.9pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 21.6% of all tests — 4.1 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, wipers and headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 71 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 30.3% in the 60-90k band and 44.4% in the 150k+ band, a 14.2-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 44.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 21.6% | 79 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 64 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.1% | 37 |
| 4 | Visibility | 9.6% | 35 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 33 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.9% | 29 |
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 | 71 |
| 2 | Wipers | 33 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 31 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 21 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 20 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 18 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 44.3% | 162 |
| 2 | Brakes | 40.7% | 149 |
| 3 | Tyres | 32.2% | 118 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 26.8% | 98 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 25.4% | 93 |
| 6 | Other defects | 21.9% | 80 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 76 | 30.3% |
| 90-120k | 167 | 32.9% |
| 120-150k | 55 | 40.0% |
| 150k+ | 45 | 44.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 129 | 34.9% |
| 2022 | 92 | 30.4% |
| 2023 | 61 | 36.1% |
| 2024 | 45 | 31.1% |
| 2025 | 39 | 35.9% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Space Wagon
On a 2003 Space Wagon, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (21.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (17.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.1% 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 Wagons pass their MOT?
66.4% of the 366 2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagon MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagon?
Suspension, recorded in 21.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (17.5%).
Does the 2003 Space Wagon get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.3% in the 60-90k band to 44.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 366 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.