Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2001 Mitsubishi Space Wagon?

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 2001 Mitsubishi Space Wagon?

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 2001 Mitsubishi Space Wagon?

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 2001 Mitsubishi Space Wagon vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

24% 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 2001 Mitsubishi Space Wagon reliable?

Based on MOT data from 869 vehicles, the 2001 Mitsubishi Space Wagon has a first-time MOT pass rate of 70.6%, 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 2001 Mitsubishi Space Wagon?

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 Wagon (2001)

869 real MOT outcomes analysed • 70.6% first-time pass rate

2001 Mitsubishi Space Wagon

CarHunch analysed 869 real MOT records for the 2001 Mitsubishi Space Wagon. 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 2001 Mitsubishi Space Wagon struggles to reach the MOT finish line, with a first-time pass rate of just 70.6% against the UK average of 80%. A quarter of these vehicles (24.3%) have experienced a dangerous defect at some point, which is a genuine safety concern for buyers considering one.

At an average mileage of 85,960 miles for a 23-year-old MPV, these examples are fairly well-used, and that heavy wear shows in the numbers—owners face an average of 3.97 failures and 15.9 advisories per test. Before committing to one, budget for pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar with these vehicles, particularly around structural integrity and the defect history, since the failure rate suggests mechanical and safety issues are common rather than exceptional.

The 2001 Mitsubishi Space Wagon has a below-average first-time pass rate (70.6% 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

70.6%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

24.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.97

Over 12.7 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

81k

Middle half: 67k–98k

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 15.9 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 869 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 869 Mitsubishi Space Wagon cars.

Before you buy a 2001 Mitsubishi Space Wagon

Based on MOT data from 869 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 24.3% 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%)	859	70.6%	3.98

Colour Breakdown

Based on 18,759 Mitsubishi Space Wagon vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 30.1%

5,645

Silver 22.6%

4,242

Red 22.4%

4,196

White 10.4%

1,951

Green 6.2%

1,160

Grey 3.4%

635

Beige 1.7%

310

Maroon 1.1%

200

Black 0.7%

138

Gold 0.6%

114

Purple 0.5%

Brown 0.4%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2001 Mitsubishi Space Wagon 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.

81,233

typical

66,972

low mileage

98,161

high mileage

Half of all 2001 Mitsubishi Space Wagon vehicles fall between 66,972 and 98,161 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 66,972 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.

✓ 66,972–98,161 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2001 Mitsubishi Space Wagons sit.

⚠ Over 132,517 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2001 Mitsubishi Space Wagon — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 5% of 2001 Mitsubishi Space Wagons are still active.

Numbers are declining — 20 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2023 (5% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2023.
* 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

12.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.97

Avg failures per vehicle

15.9

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Compare with another model

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