2006 Mitsubishi Pajero — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,011 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Mitsubishi Pajero, the most common recorded failure areas were body, structure & corrosion, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 76.3% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 28.0% in the 150k+ group versus 13.5% in the 60-90k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.0% | 121 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 112 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.9% | 100 |
| 4 | Suspension | 9.6% | 97 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.7% | 47 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.5% | 45 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chassis condition | 76 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 70 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 59 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 58 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 55 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 48 |
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 | 37.3% | 377 |
| 2 | Brakes | 35.8% | 362 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 27.1% | 274 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 25.6% | 259 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.3% | 134 |
| 6 | Steering | 12.2% | 123 |
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 | 104 | 13.5% |
| 90-120k | 196 | 18.4% |
| 120-150k | 224 | 25.0% |
| 150k+ | 460 | 28.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 922 | 24.7% |
| Petrol | 89 | 13.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 288 | 23.3% |
| 2022 | 257 | 25.7% |
| 2023 | 204 | 23.5% |
| 2024 | 146 | 24.7% |
| 2025 | 116 | 19.8% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Pajero
Before buying a 2006 Mitsubishi Pajero, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Body, structure & corrosion accounted for 12.0% of tests for this year.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.0% 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+.
- Lighting & signalling (11.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.9% 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 2006 Mitsubishi Pajeros pass their MOT?
76.3% of the 1,011 2006 Mitsubishi Pajero MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Mitsubishi Pajero?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 12.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.1%).
Does the 2006 Pajero get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.5% in the 60-90k band to 28.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,011 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.