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

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 Space Star?

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 Space Star?

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 Space Star vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

39% 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 Space Star reliable?

Based on MOT data from 3,729 vehicles, the 2002 Mitsubishi Space Star has a first-time MOT pass rate of 71.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

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

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 Star (2002)

3,729 real MOT outcomes analysed • 71.1% first-time pass rate

2002 Mitsubishi Space Star

CarHunch analysed 3,729 real MOT records for the 2002 Mitsubishi Space Star. 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 2002 Mitsubishi Space Star is noticeably less reliable than the UK average, with a first-time MOT pass rate of 71.1% against the national benchmark of 80%. More concerning, 39% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is significantly higher than typical and represents a real safety consideration for buyers.

At 67,010 miles average, these cars show typical wear for their age, but the 4.7 average failures per test suggest structural issues beyond routine maintenance—combined with 20.7 advisories per vehicle, this points to ageing components and deteriorating condition across the board. If you're considering one, budget for repairs and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the brake system, suspension, and steering components where dangerous defects tend to cluster.

The 2002 Mitsubishi Space Star has a below-average first-time pass rate (71.1% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ 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

71.1%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

39%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.7

Over 15.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

62k

Middle half: 48k–77k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 20.7 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 3,729 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

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 3,729 Mitsubishi Space Star cars.

Before you buy a 2002 Mitsubishi Space Star

Based on MOT data from 3,729 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 39% 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 (84%)	3,129	71.2%	4.7
Diesel (16%)	599	70.7%	4.68

Colour Breakdown

Based on 17,432 Mitsubishi Space Star vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 41.3%

7,197

Blue 25.9%

4,509

Grey 13.1%

2,286

Black 9.8%

1,705

Red 6.8%

1,184

Green 2.2%

380

White 0.8%

145

Purple 0.1%

Gold 0.1%

Brown 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2002 Mitsubishi Space Star 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.

62,466

typical

48,071

low mileage

77,370

high mileage

Half of all 2002 Mitsubishi Space Star vehicles fall between 48,071 and 77,370 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 48,071 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.

✓ 48,071–77,370 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2002 Mitsubishi Space Stars sit.

⚠ Over 104,449 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 Space Star — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 6% of 2002 Mitsubishi Space Stars are still active.

Numbers are declining — 146 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (6% of 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

15.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.7

Avg failures per vehicle

20.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Compare with another model

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Buyer beware — pass it on