Used car guide

2017 Mitsubishi Delica: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Mitsubishi Delica first registered in 2017: we looked at the 146 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 146 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

146MOTs of 2017 cars, done in 2023–2025
55%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 80%)
15,800typical miles a year
17.1×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Mitsubishi Delica?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Mitsubishi Delica than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Engine oil leaks17.1× usual
    Mitsubishi Delica
    24% All 2017 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Steering rack inner joints56.5× usual
    Mitsubishi Delica
    22.6% All 2017 cars
    0.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 2017 Mitsubishi Delica MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 Mitsubishi Delica MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    39% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    27% 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
    25% 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.

  • Steering
    25% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    23% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2017 Mitsubishi Delica

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 17.1× as often on the 2017 Mitsubishi Delica as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 56.5× as often on the 2017 Mitsubishi Delica as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mitsubishi Delica?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Mitsubishi Delica compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2019131Suspension 44%
2018122Suspension 35%
2016141Suspension 50%
2015127Brakes 35%
2010117Suspension 29%
2008185Suspension 35%
2007333Suspension 37%
2006325Suspension 51%
2005442Suspension 49%
2004348Suspension 48%
2003259Suspension 53%
2002148Suspension 43%
1996100Suspension 45%
1995101Suspension 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Mitsubishi Delica cars first registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score