The picture
Pajero: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 2,523 MOT tests, the Pajero returns 71.7% first-time pass — below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a. A number-plate lamp out and the strength or continuity of the load bearing round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 144,895, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
Body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point
151 occurrences · 6.0% of tests
- 02
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
143 occurrences · 5.7% of tests
- 03
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
135 occurrences · 5.4% of tests
- 04
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
130 occurrences · 5.2% of tests
- 05
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
128 occurrences · 5.1% of tests
- 06
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
95 occurrences · 3.8% of tests
- 07
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
95 occurrences · 3.8% of tests
- 08
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
93 occurrences · 3.7% of tests
- 09
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
87 occurrences · 3.4% of tests
- 10
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
86 occurrences · 3.4% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£68–£215
If every one of this Pajero's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Buying or keeping a Pajero?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Pajero and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.