How much does a 1997 MITSUBISHI PAJERO cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,525 (£127/month), including £955 fuel, £165 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 MITSUBISHI PAJERO?

The 1997 MITSUBISHI PAJERO has a 86% MOT pass rate based on 91 tests in 2026. This ranks 56 out of 320 cars from 1997.

Which year MITSUBISHI PAJERO is most reliable?

The 2016 MITSUBISHI PAJERO has the highest MOT pass rate at 88%. The least reliable year is 2001 at 67%.

MITSUBISHI PAJERO (1997)

Q: Is the 1997 MITSUBISHI PAJERO reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 86% of MITSUBISHI PAJEROs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 91 tests. That's 4 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 MITSUBISHI PAJERO?

The average mileage for a 1997 MITSUBISHI PAJERO is 116,257 miles, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 91 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,525

£127/month

MOT Pass Rate

86%

Good

Road Tax

£165

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 5-15

1100cc Petrol

Solid Option

86% pass rate, £1525/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1100cc29 years old91 tests116k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1100cc)

~50 mpg

£955

Road Tax

Based on 1100cc

£165

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,525

Per month£127/mo

Per week£29/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

86% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MITSUBISHI brand average of 80%.

At 29 years old, 86% of MITSUBISHI PAJEROs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 91 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 116,257 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars56th of 320(top 17%)

Rank among MITSUBISHI models147th of 408(top 36%)

vs national average+4%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average+11%(75% avg)

vs MITSUBISHI average+6%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

116,257

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 MITSUBISHI PAJERO has 116,257 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2016 model with a 88% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 67%. The 1997 sits between the two at 86%.

MITSUBISHI PAJERO by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2018	83%	42	75,994 mi
2017	82%	45	75,569 mi
2016	88%	51	83,996 mi
2015	64%	36	111,798 mi
2010	77%	30	95,272 mi
2008	75%	69	127,382 mi
2007	73%	128	124,605 mi
2006	78%	260	136,303 mi
2005	77%	486	152,412 mi
2004	70%	616	157,611 mi
2003	78%	582	150,765 mi
2002	68%	270	153,687 mi
2001	67%	203	152,872 mi
2000	73%	129	138,864 mi
1999	76%	127	132,497 mi
1998	77%	105	114,961 mi
1997	86%	91	116,257 mi
1996	72%	155	135,309 mi
1995	78%	166	172,553 mi
1994	79%	106	184,471 mi
1993	76%	59	160,898 mi
1992	63%	30	174,063 mi
1991	60%	48	162,983 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

-13%

VAUXHALL CORSA

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,390/year

89%

+3%

NISSAN MICRA

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£1,722/year

70%

-16%

FORD FIESTA

1999 · 1392cc Petrol

£1,922/year

67%

-19%

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About the 1997 MITSUBISHI PAJERO

The 1997 MITSUBISHI PAJERO is a city car with a 1100cc petrol engine. 91 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 17% of all 1997 cars for reliability.

With an average of 116,257 miles at 29 years old, MITSUBISHI PAJERO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 MITSUBISHI PAJERO Fuel Costs

The modest 1100cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 MITSUBISHI PAJERO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,525 (£127/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £165 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 86% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MITSUBISHI PAJERO Reliability Trend

The MITSUBISHI PAJERO has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1997 MITSUBISHI PAJERO

At 29 years old, the MITSUBISHI PAJERO is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2016 model has the highest pass rate at 88%. Note: with only 91 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 MITSUBISHI PAJERO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 116k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1997 MITSUBISHI PAJERO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MITSUBISHI PAJERO(1997)	86%	£955	£165	Grp 5-15	£1525
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827+£302
VAUXHALL CORSA(1999)	89%	£955	£30	Grp 5-15	£1390-£135
NISSAN MICRA(1999)	70%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722+£197
FORD FIESTA(1999)	67%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1922+£397

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.