Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2002 Mitsubishi Delica?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2002 Mitsubishi Delica?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2002 Mitsubishi Delica?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2002 Mitsubishi Delica vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

30% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2002 Mitsubishi Delica reliable?

Based on MOT data from 108 vehicles, the 2002 Mitsubishi Delica has a first-time MOT pass rate of 73%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2002 Mitsubishi Delica?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2002 Mitsubishi Delica are: Oil leak, but not excessive (106.9% of vehicles), Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (32.9% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (31.2% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2002 Mitsubishi Delica?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mitsubishi Delica (2002)

108 real MOT outcomes analysed • 73% first-time pass rate

2002 Mitsubishi Delica

CarHunch analysed 108 real MOT records for the 2002 Mitsubishi Delica. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2002 Mitsubishi Delica is below the UK average, with a 73% first-time pass rate compared to 80% nationwide—a meaningful gap that suggests buyers should expect MOT hassle. More concerning is that nearly 30% of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects, a well-above-average figure that warrants serious inspection by a mechanic before purchase.

With around 110,000 miles on the clock, these Delicas show their age through an average of 3.2 failures and 17.2 advisories per test, pointing to worn suspension, seals, and exhaust components rather than catastrophic issues. If you're considering one, budget for remedial work and insist on a full pre-purchase inspection—the high dangerous defect rate means skipping this step could prove costly.

We have limited data for the 2002 Mitsubishi Delica — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

73%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

29.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.21

Over 10.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

110k

Middle half: 74k–136k

For context

These stats describe 108 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 108 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 106.9%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Nearside Front Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt · Offside Front Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt · …

Suspension & steering 32.9%

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play · Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play · Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Brake wear 31.2%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Service brake efficiency below requirements

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Tyre wear 26.4%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 108 Mitsubishi Delica cars.

Before you buy a 2002 Mitsubishi Delica

Based on MOT data from 108 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 29.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (94%)	101	73.1%	3.2

Mileage Distribution

Most 2002 Mitsubishi Delica vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

110,093

typical

73,960

low mileage

136,226

high mileage

Half of all 2002 Mitsubishi Delica vehicles fall between 73,960 and 136,226 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 73,960 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 73,960–136,226 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2002 Mitsubishi Delicas sit.

⚠ Over 183,905 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2002 Mitsubishi Delica — Still on the Road

Almost all 2002 Mitsubishi Delicas are still on the road.

Strong survival — 79 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 91% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

10.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.21

Avg failures per vehicle

17.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mitsubishi Delica: All Delica years → Which year to buy? →

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 2005 2007

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Compare with another model

See how the 2002 Mitsubishi Delica stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on