Mitsubishi
2,921 MOT tests analysed. runs below the UK fleet average — here's where Delicas pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 8.5 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
69.0%
Pass-after-fix
3.4%
Fail
26.9%
Avg miles
119,900
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Could not determine Euro standard — check the V5C or use the government's online ULEZ checker.
Performance by cohort
2 year bands · 2,883 tests
Pass rate is broadly flat across the cohorts — new and old Delica examples track each other at the test bay.
Pass
69.1%
Fail
26.9%
PRS
3.5%
Avg mileage at test
121,842 mi
Pass
68.7%
Fail
27.2%
PRS
2.9%
Avg mileage at test
103,418 mi
Cohort = vehicle's first-registration year band. Same model, different generations of build.
The picture
Across 1,830 MOT tests, the Delica returns 66.8% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is the strength or continuity of the load bearing. A number-plate lamp out and a split CV-joint boot round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 123,638, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
Around the UK fleet average for insurance cost. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
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The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
269 occurrences · 9.2% of tests
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
165 occurrences · 5.6% of tests
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
114 occurrences · 3.9% of tests
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
111 occurrences · 3.8% of tests
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
98 occurrences · 3.4% of tests
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
97 occurrences · 3.3% of tests
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
96 occurrences · 3.3% of tests
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
95 occurrences · 3.3% of tests
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
88 occurrences · 3.0% of tests
Service brake efficiency below minimum requirement
69 occurrences · 2.4% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
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Year-band analysis
First-time MOT pass rate split by registration band. Pass rates barely move across bands here, so the year you buy Mitsubishi Delica makes little measurable difference to MOT outcomes.
Best band to buy
69.1%
Pre-2018 registration
the older band (pre-2018) climbs to 69.1% — a 0.4-point improvement. Failures here are mostly wear items: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength, inoperative in the case of multiple lamps… — the structural issues that drag down older examples don't appear in the top-10 for this band.
Band to be cautious about
68.7%
2018–2020 registration
On the 2018–2020 band, the data shows a 68.7% pass rate against a fleet average of 69.1% on the newer band. The main culprits logged at test: inoperative in the case of multiple lamps…, constant velocity boot split or insecure, no…, and constant velocity boot severely deteriorated. Average mileage on test for this band is 103,418 miles — high-mileage wear items are a recurring theme.
Best band to buy: pre-2018 (69.1% first-time pass). Worst band to avoid: 2018-2020 (68.7% pass). That's a 0.4-point spread across 246 older tests and 2,637 newer ones — year of build makes a material difference on this model.
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Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Delica and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.
