2004 Mitsubishi Unclassified — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 491 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Mitsubishi Unclassified, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 77.8% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 25.3% in the 150k+ group versus 14.0% in the 60-90k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.0% | 64 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 63 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.4% | 46 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.7% | 38 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.7% | 28 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.1% | 20 |
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 | 58 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 32 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 31 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 29 |
| 5 | Wipers | 23 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 22 |
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 | 36.7% | 180 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.6% | 165 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.8% | 117 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.6% | 101 |
| 5 | Tyres | 13.2% | 65 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.8% | 53 |
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 | 114 | 14.0% |
| 90-120k | 93 | 29.0% |
| 120-150k | 95 | 22.1% |
| 150k+ | 154 | 25.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 342 | 23.7% |
| Petrol | 144 | 18.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 131 | 26.7% |
| 2022 | 125 | 24.0% |
| 2023 | 97 | 20.6% |
| 2024 | 65 | 13.9% |
| 2025 | 73 | 20.5% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Unclassified
Before buying a 2004 Mitsubishi Unclassified, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 13.0% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (13.0% 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 (12.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.4% 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 Unclassifieds pass their MOT?
77.8% of the 491 2004 Mitsubishi Unclassified MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Mitsubishi Unclassified?
Suspension, recorded in 13.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.8%).
Does the 2004 Unclassified get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.0% in the 60-90k band to 25.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 491 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.