Mitsubishi Unknown (2004)
2004 Mitsubishi Unknown
CarHunch analysed 138 real MOT records for the 2004 Mitsubishi Unknown. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 2004 Mitsubishi is a significant reliability concern—only 18.8% pass their MOT first time, compared to the UK average of 80%, meaning four out of five of these cars fail on their first test. The dangerous defect rate is mercifully low at 1.5%, but the overall picture is one of serious mechanical decay.
These cars are averaging 95,492 miles, which is actually reasonable for a 20-year-old vehicle, yet they're still accumulating 1.1 advisories per test and 0.22 failures—suggesting age-related wear rather than exceptional neglect. If you're considering one, budget heavily for repairs and get a pre-purchase inspection from a specialist; this isn't a car to buy on hope.
What to check before buying a 2004 Mitsubishi Unknown
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Mitsubishi Unknown
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (46%) | 64 | 26.6% | 0.36 |
| Diesel (40%) | 55 | 3% | 0.04 |
| Other (4%) | 5 | 86.7% | 0.4 |
| Electric (4%) | 5 | 0% | 0 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (2%) | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| Gas (1%) | 2 | 0% | 0 |
| Diesel (1%) | 2 | 63.3% | 1.5 |
| Other (1%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (1%) | 1 | 66.7% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 Mitsubishi Unknown vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2004 Mitsubishi Unknown vehicles fall between 87,369 and 121,341 miles.
2004 Mitsubishi Unknown — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 14 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2021–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2004 Mitsubishi Unknown
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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38.9%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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24.1%
Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()
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22.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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18.5%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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16.7%
Rear Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test ()
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14.8%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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13%
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
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13%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mitsubishi Unknown?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.