Mitsubishi Delica
Registered from 1994 to 2021.
About this model
The Mitsubishi Delica is a range of vans and pickup trucks designed and built by the Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors since 1968. It was originally based on a cabover van and pickup truck introduced the previous year, also called the Delica, its name a contraction of the English language phrase Delivery car. This pickup truck, and a commercial van derived from it has received many names in export markets, being sold as the L300 in Europe, Jamaica and New Zealand, Express and Starwagon in Australia, and plain Mitsubishi Van and Wagon in the United States. The passenger car versions were known as Delica Star Wagon from 1979 until the 1994 introduction of the Delica Space Gear, which became simply Space Gear in Europe at least. The most recent version is called the Delica D:5. With the exception of the first, versions of all generations are still being sold in various international markets.
From the Wikipedia article Mitsubishi Delica, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2005 2.8 diesel. 45 of 129 tests failed, 35%.
Better than 3% of 2005 cars. The typical one fails 27%, across 837 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 56% | 25 |
| Body and structure | 44% | 20 |
| Brakes | 40% | 18 |
| Lights and electrics | 24% | 11 |
| Steering | 22% | 10 |
| Visibility | 22% | 10 |
The defects inspectors cite
- 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
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
Where it stands out against its peers
- Body and structure: failed more often than 93% of 2005 cars — 44% of its 45 failed tests, where an ordinary 2005 car has 22%.
- Steering: failed more often than 93% of 2005 cars — 22% of its 45 failed tests, where an ordinary 2005 car has 5%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Suspension — 56% of its failures
- 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
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Brakes — 40% of its failures
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
- Service brake efficiency below minimum requirement
- Steering — 22% of its failures
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- Lights and electrics — 24% of its failures
- Body and structure — 44% of its failures
- 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
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Visibility — 22% of its failures