Mitsubishi Pajero
Registered from 1992 to 2020.
About this model
The Mitsubishi Pajero is a full-size SUV manufactured and marketed globally by Mitsubishi over four generations—introduced in 1981 and discontinued in 2021. A fifth-generation iteration was unveiled in September 2026.
From the Wikipedia article Mitsubishi Pajero, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2004 2.8 diesel. 64 of 302 tests failed, 21%.
Better than 87% of 2004 cars. The typical one fails 28%, across 750 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Body and structure | 61% | 39 |
| Suspension | 42% | 27 |
| Lights and electrics | 34% | 22 |
| Brakes | 33% | 21 |
| Seat belts and airbags | 20% | 13 |
| Steering | 16% | 10 |
The defects inspectors cite
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (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
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
Where it stands out against its peers
- Body and structure: failed more often than 99% of 2004 cars — 61% of its 64 failed tests, where an ordinary 2004 car has 23%.
- Seat belts and airbags: failed more often than 94% of 2004 cars — 20% of its 64 failed tests, where an ordinary 2004 car has 3%.
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 — 42% 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
- Brakes — 33% of its failures
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Steering — 16% of its failures
- Lights and electrics — 34% of its failures
- 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
- Body and structure — 61% of its failures
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced
- Body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- Seat belts and airbags — 20% of its failures
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
When it starts failing
At 200k+ miles this one fails 25% of its inspections, against the 30% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100–120k miles | 11% | 29% | 36 | |
| 120–140k miles | 18% | 30% | 49 | |
| 140–160k miles | 24% | 31% | 55 | |
| 180–200k miles | 32% | 31% | 38 | |
| 200k+ miles | 25% | 30% | 63 |
241 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 140k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00893/21
The NADI (non-azide driver inflator) type airbag may have improper sealing that could allow moisture to enter into the propellant.If the propellant afterwards dries out, it could lead to decreased density resulting in a too high burn rate. Consequently the airbag may not deploy as designed and provide less protection, increasing the risk of injury. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01591/20
The right hand side front lower arm might break during vehicle usage due to an improper welding process.The vehicle might be unstable during driving.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/0351/15
Due to defects in their construction, the light control switch and/or turn indicator switch might malfunction. The defect in the light control switch may also result in sudden failure of the dipped headlights when the car is being driven.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/1342/17
In the event of deployment of the driver and passenger side airbags, sharp fragments may be released from the inflators of the airbags which could injure the driver and/or the passenger.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/1735/13
The reclining lever for the front seat may jam with the reclining switch, leading to electric current flowing continuously in the reclining motor. As a result, the protection circuit of the reclining motor could be damaged with the risk of a fire occuring.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/1736/13
The front suspension lower arm assembly may be improperly welded and could break or become damaged. In this case, the handling and stability of the car would be affected.
Recall of the product from end users