Used car guide

1994 Mitsubishi Pajero: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1994 Mitsubishi Pajeros, from 106 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 106 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

106MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 1994 cars: 69%)
5,200typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1994 Mitsubishi Pajeros than on all cars registered in 1994.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.4× usual
    Mitsubishi Pajero
    31.1% All 1994 cars
    12.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.6% of all 1994 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

By area

The share of 1994 Mitsubishi Pajero MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    43% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    41% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    37% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Rust and bodywork
    32% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    32% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    13% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005176Brakes 38%
2004188Brakes 49%
2003140Brakes 39%
1995101Brakes 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1994 Mitsubishi Pajeros registered in 1994. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score