Used car guide

2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagon: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Mitsubishi Space Wagon first registered in 2003: we looked at the 100 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 100 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

100MOTs of 2003 cars, done in 2023–2025
40%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 57%)
5,000typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for headlights

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagon?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagon than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Headlights2.8× usual
    Mitsubishi Space Wagon
    33% All 2003 cars
    11.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10%, against 4.6% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Common 2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagon MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagon MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    57% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Suspension
    53% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    45% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    38% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    34% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    26% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagon

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagon as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mitsubishi Space Wagon?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Mitsubishi Space Wagon compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2002137Suspension 58%
2001–Too few tests
2000–Too few tests
1999–Too few tests
1998–Too few tests
1997–Too few tests
1996–Too few tests
1995–Too few tests
1994–Too few tests
1993–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Mitsubishi Space Wagon cars first registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score