2005 Mitsubishi Pajero — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,906 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Mitsubishi Pajero, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and brakes. Its pass rate of 76.6% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 25.3% in the 150k+ group versus 12.8% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 238 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.2% | 233 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.2% | 195 |
| 4 | Suspension | 9.7% | 185 |
| 5 | Steering | 4.4% | 84 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.8% | 73 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 144 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 130 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 128 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 118 |
| 5 | Rear fog lamp | 111 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 81 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 39.0% | 743 |
| 2 | Suspension | 36.7% | 699 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.8% | 510 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 25.9% | 493 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.7% | 261 |
| 6 | Tyres | 12.3% | 235 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 47 | 12.8% |
| 60-90k | 157 | 28.7% |
| 90-120k | 276 | 19.9% |
| 120-150k | 494 | 21.3% |
| 150k+ | 915 | 25.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,751 | 23.4% |
| Petrol | 155 | 23.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 577 | 25.0% |
| 2022 | 481 | 24.5% |
| 2023 | 398 | 22.9% |
| 2024 | 249 | 22.5% |
| 2025 | 201 | 17.9% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Pajero
Before buying a 2005 Mitsubishi Pajero, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 12.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (12.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.2% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Brakes (10.2% 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 2005 Mitsubishi Pajeros pass their MOT?
76.6% of the 1,906 2005 Mitsubishi Pajero MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mitsubishi Pajero?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.5% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (12.2%).
Does the 2005 Pajero get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.8% in the 30-60k band to 25.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,906 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.