Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1997 Mitsubishi Space Runner?

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 1997 Mitsubishi Space Runner?

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 1997 Mitsubishi Space Runner?

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.

Is the 1997 Mitsubishi Space Runner reliable?

Based on MOT data from 252 vehicles, the 1997 Mitsubishi Space Runner has a first-time MOT pass rate of 69.1%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1997 Mitsubishi Space Runner?

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 Space Runner (1997)

252 real MOT outcomes analysed • 69.1% first-time pass rate

1997 Mitsubishi Space Runner

CarHunch analysed 252 real MOT records for the 1997 Mitsubishi Space Runner. 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 Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 1997 Mitsubishi Space Runner is notably less reliable than average, with only 69.1% passing first time versus the UK average of 80%—a meaningful gap that suggests age-related wear is catching up with these 27-year-old vehicles. Roughly one in five (18.2%) have experienced a dangerous defect, which is a genuine concern for a used buyer, though the petrol engines show consistent pass rates across the sample.

At nearly 90,000 miles median mileage, these Space Runners have experienced typical use for their age, yet they're still racking up 3.58 failures per test on average, pointing to systemic weaknesses beyond simple maintenance oversights. If you're considering one, budget for multiple repairs at each MOT cycle and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the most common failure points—suspension, braking, and emissions systems have clearly worn significantly on this model.

We have limited data for the 1997 Mitsubishi Space Runner — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 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

69.1%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

18.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.58

Over 11.2 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

89k

Middle half: 72k–106k

For context

These stats describe 252 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.

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See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 252 Mitsubishi Space Runner cars.

Before you buy a 1997 Mitsubishi Space Runner

Based on MOT data from 252 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 18.3% 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 (99%)	250	69.2%	3.56

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,336 Mitsubishi Space Runner vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 30.2%

706

Blue 27.2%

635

Red 17%

397

White 13.4%

313

Green 5.1%

120

Beige 3.3%

Black 1.5%

Turquoise 1.3%

Gold 0.6%

Grey 0.4%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1997 Mitsubishi Space Runner 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.

88,945

typical

71,628

low mileage

105,899

high mileage

Half of all 1997 Mitsubishi Space Runner vehicles fall between 71,628 and 105,899 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 71,628 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.

✓ 71,628–105,899 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1997 Mitsubishi Space Runners sit.

⚠ Over 142,963 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1997 Mitsubishi Space Runner — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 13% of 1997 Mitsubishi Space Runners are still active.

Numbers are declining — 11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (13% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2022.
* 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

11.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.58

Avg failures per vehicle

11.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Buyer beware — pass it on