2017 Mitsubishi Delica — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 355 MOT tests analysed for the 2017 Mitsubishi Delica, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 71.5% was below the average for cars of a similar age (87.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 38.7% in the 150k+ group versus 24.8% in the 60-90k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 49 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.0% | 46 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.6% | 41 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.9% | 35 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.0% | 32 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.8% | 24 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 33 |
| 2 | Wipers | 23 |
| 3 | Joints | 22 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 20 |
| 5 | Steering rack | 20 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 18 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 33.0% | 117 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.4% | 90 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 21.4% | 76 |
| 4 | Other defects | 21.1% | 75 |
| 5 | Tyres | 16.6% | 59 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.8% | 56 |
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 | 101 | 24.8% |
| 90-120k | 79 | 25.3% |
| 120-150k | 79 | 29.1% |
| 150k+ | 75 | 38.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 79 | 25.3% |
| 2022 | 82 | 31.7% |
| 2023 | 78 | 30.8% |
| 2024 | 56 | 26.8% |
| 2025 | 60 | 26.7% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Delica
Before buying a 2017 Mitsubishi Delica, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- 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.
- Brakes (11.6% 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 2017 Mitsubishi Delicas pass their MOT?
71.5% of the 355 2017 Mitsubishi Delica MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Mitsubishi Delica?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.8% of tests, followed by suspension (13.0%).
Does the 2017 Delica get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.8% in the 60-90k band to 38.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 355 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.