Verdict
The Mitsubishi Space Star passes its MOT first time on 44.9% of tests, 10.7 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (55.6%). That puts it ahead of 15% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.
By year of first registration, the 2003 Space Star does best (beats 16% of cars) and the 2005 worst (beats 14%).
Of its engines, the 1.9 Diesel does best (beats 18%) and the 1.3 Petrol worst (beats 14%).
Watch these weak spots
MOT pass rate by age
First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.
Best and worst years
By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.
Engines
All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 Petrol | 45.4% | Beats 14% | E |
| 1.3 Petrol | 45.5% | Beats 14% | E |
| 1.9 Diesel | 42.8% | Beats 18% | E |
Where it fails
Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Buying one or MOT due? Check these
- Handbrake performance 2.6× typical
Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope. - Headlight bulbs & units 1.7× typical
Check dipped and main beam on both sides. - Brake pads 2.3× typical
Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash. - Engine warning light 1.8× typical
The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy. - Track rod ends 1.9× typical
Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres. - Windscreen wipers 1.5× typical
Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
Pass rate by mileage
First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.
Most common MOT failures
| Item | This car | Typical | vs typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Component mounting prescribed areas | 9.4% | 2.1% | 4.5× |
| Drive shaft (CV) joints | 7.8% | 2.8% | 2.8× |
| Headlight aim | 7.7% | 5.9% | 1.3× |
| Handbrake performance | 7.6% | 2.9% | 2.6× |
| Headlight bulbs & units | 6.8% | 4.1% | 1.7× |
| Brake pipes | 6.1% | 3.0% | 2.0× |
| Windscreen wipers | 5.6% | 3.8% | 1.5× |
| Tyre damage & cracking | 4.9% | 3.5% | 1.4× |
| Sidelights | 4.7% | 4.8% | 1.0× |
| Engine warning light | 4.5% | 2.5% | 1.8× |
Specific defects found
Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.
| Defect | per 1,000 |
|---|---|
| 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 | 91.5 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 89.3 |
| A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 79.7 |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 77.4 |
| Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 56.6 |
| Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 55.2 |
| Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 55.2 |
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 47.1 |
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Every year and engine
Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.
2005 Mitsubishi Space Star2 engines46.7% passE
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 Petrol | 47.2% | Beats 14% | E |
| 1.3 Petrol | 45.6% | Beats 12% | E |
2004 Mitsubishi Space Star3 engines44.6% passE
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 Petrol | 45.0% | Beats 14% | E |
| 1.9 Diesel | 43.2% | Beats 18% | E |
| 1.3 Petrol | 45.6% | Beats 14% | E |
2003 Mitsubishi Space Star3 engines44.2% passE
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 Petrol | 45.1% | Beats 15% | E |
| 1.9 Diesel | 42.4% | Beats 18% | E |
| 1.3 Petrol | 44.7% | Beats 13% | E |
2002 Mitsubishi Space Star2 engines44.8% passE
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 Petrol | 44.2% | Beats 14% | E |
| 1.3 Petrol | 46.1% | Beats 16% | E |
FAQ
What is the Mitsubishi Space Star MOT pass rate?
44.9% of MOT tests on the Mitsubishi Space Star were passed first time, based on 21,787 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2002–2005. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 55.6% of the time.
Is the Mitsubishi Space Star reliable?
On MOT results it rates E (poor): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 15% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Which Mitsubishi Space Star year is best?
Among years with enough data, the 2003 Space Star does best for its age and mileage: it beats 16% of cars on UK roads. The 2005 does worst: it beats 14%.
Which Mitsubishi Space Star engine is best?
Across all years, the 1.9 Diesel does best: it beats 18% of cars on UK roads. The 1.3 Petrol does worst: it beats 14%.
What are the most common MOT failures on the Mitsubishi Space Star?
The most common failure items are component mounting prescribed areas, drive shaft (CV) joints, headlight aim. Compared with similar cars, component mounting prescribed areas comes up 4.5× as often.