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Mitsubishi Space Star DG (1st gen MPV) (1998-2006) reliability

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Mitsubishi Space Star DG (1st gen MPV) built around 2004: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Mitsubishi Space Star DG (1st gen MPV) models built around 2004 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Mitsubishi Space Star DG (1st gen MPV) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

1998-2006MPVPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 1,415 tests of Space Star models registered 1998-2006.

DG (1st gen MPV) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
9835.7%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
42340.0%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
45238.9%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
21538.1%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
15935.2%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
6841.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 24 years old.

How the Space Star DG (1st gen MPV) compares

At each age below, see how the Space Star DG (1st gen MPV) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 6,442 tests across 11 Mitsubishi models, built around 2004 (21 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMitsubishi average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
9835.7%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
42340.0%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
45238.9%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
21538.1%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
15935.2%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
6841.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Space Star DG (1st gen MPV).

  1. 1

    Vauxhall Zafira

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    33.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.5%
    Dangerous
    8.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.7%

    Lower fail rate: 33.2%, against 38.9% for the Mitsubishi Space Star DG (1st gen MPV), both built around 2004.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,287 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  2. 2

    Volkswagen Touran

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    33.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    10.4%
    Dangerous
    10.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    92.6%

    Lower fail rate: 33.3%, against 38.9% for the Mitsubishi Space Star DG (1st gen MPV), both built around 2004.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,121 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  3. 3

    Vauxhall Meriva

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    34.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    11.2%
    Dangerous
    8.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.8%

    Lower fail rate: 34.9%, against 38.9% for the Mitsubishi Space Star DG (1st gen MPV), both built around 2004.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,165 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  4. 4

    Renault Kangoo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    33.7%

    Lower fail rate: 33.7%, against 38.9% for the Mitsubishi Space Star DG (1st gen MPV), both built around 2004.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,912 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Recall context

1 recall in all

1 Space Star DG (1st gen MPV) recall covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical

Top concerns

  • Possible incorrect wiring of airbag

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

What has gone wrong on Space Star DG (1st gen MPV) cars built around 2004

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 214 cars.

Structural systems

Drivetrain
71%
Suspension
68%
Emissions
41%
Steering
14%
Bodywork
11%

Wear items

Brakes
80%
Lighting
67%
Tyres
58%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 31% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How Space Star DG (1st gen MPV) cars have aged

How Space Star DG (1st gen MPV) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%40%1617181920212223Age at MOTBuilt around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 37.4% (511 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 38.7% (398 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 36.5% (266 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 39.2% (227 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 39.8% (186 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 37.1% (901 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 36.6% (713 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 38.8% (551 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 38.1% (412 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 39.3% (308 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 37.2% (589 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 38.1% (444 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 38.3% (342 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 40.3% (248 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 37.9% (140 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 39.2% (401 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 35.3% (309 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 36.5% (249 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 37.1% (186 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 35.8% (123 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 34.2% (158 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 39.2% (125 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 36.0% (89 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 37.7% (69 tests, 2024 data)2001
First registered around 2005First registered around 2004First registered around 2003First registered around 2002
How each part holds up as DG (1st gen MPV) cars age

How each part holds up as DG (1st gen MPV) cars age

The share of petrol cars built pre-2005 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car21 years22 years23 years24 years
Suspension68%61%54%45%
Brakes80%76%75%74%
Emissions41%34%43%39%
Tyres58%55%56%54%
Lighting67%63%65%61%
Drivetrain71%63%61%58%
Bodywork11%5%5%7%
Steering14%9%8%2%
Corrosion31%23%26%26%

Based on petrol cars in the pre-2005 build-year band, from 196 to 252 cars at each age.

All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Mitsubishi Space Stars of this age

This list covers every Mitsubishi Space Star built around 2004, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the DG (1st gen MPV) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    28.3%
    Advisory: 172Fail: 56 (25% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    25.9%
    Advisory: 154Fail: 25 (14% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension mounting area corroded, but not seriously

    22.6%
    Advisory: 102Fail: 93 (48% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    20.4%
    Advisory: 128Fail: 8 (6% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    17.3%
    Advisory: 94Fail: 21 (18% of the times it was found)

Based on 452 tests

Looking at a Mitsubishi Space Star DG (1st gen MPV) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2004 (21 years old), the Mitsubishi Space Star DG (1st gen MPV) (1998-2006) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 452 21-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 1,415 MOT tests on Mitsubishi Space Stars first registered between 1998-2006. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.