Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2003 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 2003 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 2003 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 2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagon vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

31% 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 2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagon reliable?

Based on MOT data from 658 vehicles, the 2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagon has a first-time MOT pass rate of 72.5%, 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 2003 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 (2003)

658 real MOT outcomes analysed • 72.5% first-time pass rate

2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagon

CarHunch analysed 658 real MOT records for the 2003 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 2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagon passes MOT first time only 72.4% of the time, significantly below the UK average of 80%, and a concerning 31% of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a red flag for anyone considering one. This suggests older examples need careful vetting before purchase, and structural or safety issues are more common than the average car of this age.

At an average mileage of 77,528 miles, these Space Wagons have been moderately used, yet they rack up an average of 4.41 failures and 21.2 advisories per test, indicating routine wear and cumulative problems that compound over time. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on brakes, suspension, and steering components—the frequent failures suggest these areas deteriorate faster than in comparable vehicles, and the high advisory count points to a pattern of deferred maintenance rather than one-off issues.

The 2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagon has a below-average first-time pass rate (72.5% 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

72.5%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

31%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.41

Over 15.4 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

74k

Middle half: 60k–90k

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 21.2 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 658 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 658 Mitsubishi Space Wagon cars.

Before you buy a 2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagon

Based on MOT data from 658 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 31% 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%)	650	72.5%	4.42

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 2003 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.

73,717

typical

59,827

low mileage

89,755

high mileage

Half of all 2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagon vehicles fall between 59,827 and 89,755 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 59,827 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.

✓ 59,827–89,755 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagons sit.

⚠ Over 121,169 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagon — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 5% of 2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagons are still active.

Numbers are declining — 26 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (5% 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

15.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.41

Avg failures per vehicle

21.2

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

See how the 2003 Mitsubishi Space Wagon stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on