CarCostCheck

MITSUBISHI PAJERO (2002)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 270 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,395

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2800cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £2395/year to run. 14 points below average.

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Diesel2800cc24 years old270 tests154k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2800cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245
Road Tax

Based on 2800cc

£395
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,395
Per month£200/mo
Per week£46/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

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MITSUBISHI brand average of 80%.

At 24 years old, 68% of MITSUBISHI PAJEROs from 2002 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 270 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 153,687 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 cars326th of 403(top 81%)
Rank among MITSUBISHI models353th of 408(top 87%)
vs national average-14%(82% avg)
vs 2002 cars average-5%(73% avg)
vs MITSUBISHI average-12%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

153,687

Average miles

vs

177,600

Expected for age

The average 2002 MITSUBISHI PAJERO has 153,687 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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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 2002 sits between the two at 68%.

MITSUBISHI PAJERO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201883%4275,994 mi
201782%4575,569 mi
201688%5183,996 mi
201564%36111,798 mi
201077%3095,272 mi
200875%69127,382 mi
200773%128124,605 mi
200678%260136,303 mi
200577%486152,412 mi
200470%616157,611 mi
200378%582150,765 mi
200268%270153,687 mi
200167%203152,872 mi
200073%129138,864 mi
199976%127132,497 mi
199877%105114,961 mi
199786%91116,257 mi
199672%155135,309 mi
199578%166172,553 mi
199479%106184,471 mi
199376%59160,898 mi
199263%30174,063 mi
199160%48162,983 mi

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About the 2002 MITSUBISHI PAJERO

The 2002 MITSUBISHI PAJERO is a large car with a 2800cc diesel engine. 270 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 81% of 2002 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 153,687 miles at 24 years old, MITSUBISHI PAJERO owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2002 MITSUBISHI PAJERO Fuel Costs

The 2800cc diesel engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2002 MITSUBISHI PAJERO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,395 200/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

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 2002 MITSUBISHI PAJERO

At 24 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%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2002 MITSUBISHI PAJERO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

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 154k 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.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 68% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 2002 MITSUBISHI PAJERO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MITSUBISHI PAJERO(2002)68%£1245£395Grp 30-42£2395
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(2004)73%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£345
BMW 3 SERIES(2003)78%£1245£250Grp 30-42£2050-£345
AUDI A4(2004)74%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£345
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(2004)77%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£345

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.

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Explore other Mitsubishi cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

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