Mitsubishi Galant
Registered from 1997 to 2003.
About this model
The Mitsubishi Galant is an automobile which was produced by Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi from 1969 until 2012. The model name was derived from the French word galant, meaning "chivalrous". There have been nine distinct generations with total cumulative sales exceeding five million units. It began as a compact sedan, but over the course of its life evolved into a mid-size car. Initial production was based in Japan, with manufacturing later moved to other countries.
From the Wikipedia article Mitsubishi Galant, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2002 2.5 petrol. 17 of 53 tests failed, 32%.
Better than 11% of 2002 cars. The typical one fails 27%, across 558 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 59% | 10 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 41% | 7 |
| Lights and electrics | 35% | 6 |
| Body and structure | 24% | 4 |
| Brakes | 24% | 4 |
| Steering | 24% | 4 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- 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
Where it stands out against its peers
- Exhaust and emissions: failed more often than 97% of 2002 cars — 41% of its 17 failed tests, where an ordinary 2002 car has 15%.
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 — 59% of its failures
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- 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
- Exhaust and emissions — 41% of its failures
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
- Brakes — 24% of its failures
- Steering — 24% of its failures
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- Lights and electrics — 35% of its failures
- A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- Body and structure — 24% 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