How much does a 1997 MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGON cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,195 (£183/month), including £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGON?

The 1997 MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGON has a 75% MOT pass rate based on 40 tests in 2026. This ranks 166 out of 320 cars from 1997.

Which year MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGON is most reliable?

The 1995 MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGON has the highest MOT pass rate at 96%. The least reliable year is 2002 at 61%.

MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGON (1997)

Q: Is the 1997 MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGON reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 75% of MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGONs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 40 tests. That's 7 points below the national average of 82%.

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

The average mileage for a 1997 MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGON is 134,374 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 40 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,195

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

75%

Average

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2830cc Diesel

Check Carefully

75% pass rate, £2195/year to run. 7 points below average.

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Diesel2830cc29 years old40 tests134k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2830cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245

Road Tax

Based on 2830cc

£395

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,195

Per month£183/mo

Per week£42/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

75% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 7 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MITSUBISHI brand average of 80%.

At 29 years old, 75% of MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGONs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 40 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 134,374 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars166th of 320(top 52%)

Rank among MITSUBISHI models263th of 408(top 64%)

vs national average-7%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average+0%(75% avg)

vs MITSUBISHI average-5%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

134,374

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGON has 134,374 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 1995 model with a 96% MOT pass rate, while the 2002 model has the lowest at 61%. The 1997 sits between the two at 75%.

MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGON by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2003	66%	68	109,430 mi
2002	61%	83	111,466 mi
1997	75%	40	134,374 mi
1995	96%	100	97,751 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1999 · 2461cc Diesel

£2,050/year

70%

-5%

LAND ROVER DEFENDER

1997 · 2500cc Diesel

£2,050/year

76%

+1%

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

1999 · 2487cc Diesel

£2,050/year

75%

same

FORD TRANSIT

1998 · 2496cc Diesel

£2,050/year

72%

-3%

Check a Specific Mitsubishi Space wagon

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About the 1997 MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGON

The 1997 MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGON is a large car with a 2830cc diesel engine. 40 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1997, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 134,374 miles at 29 years old, MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGON owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGON Fuel Costs

The 2830cc 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 1997 MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGON?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,195 (£183/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 75% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGON Reliability Trend

Older MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGONs tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 33 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1997 MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGON

At 29 years old, the MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGON 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 1995 model has the highest pass rate at 96%. Note: with only 40 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGON'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 134k 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.

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 SPACE WAGON stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MITSUBISHI SPACE WAGON(1997)	75%	£1245	£395	Grp 30-42	£2195
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1999)	70%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£145
LAND ROVER DEFENDER(1997)	76%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£145
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(1999)	75%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£145
FORD TRANSIT(1998)	72%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£145

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.