Used car guide

2004 Mitsubishi Pajero: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Mitsubishi Pajeros, from 188 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 188 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

188MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
6,800typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Mitsubishi Pajeros than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Rigid brake pipes2× usual
    Mitsubishi Pajero
    34% All 2004 cars
    17.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2.7% of all 2004 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.

  • Chassis rust or damage4.5× usual
    Mitsubishi Pajero
    18.1% All 2004 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 1.2% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

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

By area

The share of 2004 Mitsubishi Pajero MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    49% 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
    44% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    35% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    32% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    30% 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.

  • Tyres
    18% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005176Brakes 38%
2003140Brakes 39%
1995101Brakes 45%
1994106Brakes 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Mitsubishi Pajeros registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score