CarCostCheck

MITSUBISHI UNCLASSIFIED (1996)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 42 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,045

£170/month

MOT Pass Rate

81%

Good

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2835cc Diesel

Solid Option

81% pass rate, £2045/year to run. Close to the national average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific MITSUBISHI UNCLASSIFIED

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Diesel2835cc30 years old42 tests134k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2835cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245
Road Tax

Based on 2835cc

£395
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,045
Per month£170/mo
Per week£39/wk

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

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this MITSUBISHI UNCLASSIFIED

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

81% 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%.

At 30 years old, 81% of MITSUBISHI UNCLASSIFIEDs from 1996 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 42 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 133,642 miles.

Got a MITSUBISHI UNCLASSIFIED you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 cars83th of 252(top 33%)
Rank among MITSUBISHI models187th of 408(top 46%)
vs national average-1%(82% avg)
vs 1996 cars average+6%(75% avg)
vs MITSUBISHI average+1%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

133,642

Average miles

vs

222,000

Expected for age

The average 1996 MITSUBISHI UNCLASSIFIED has 133,642 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific MITSUBISHI UNCLASSIFIED?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2000 model with a 88% MOT pass rate, while the 2007 model has the lowest at 73%. The 1996 sits between the two at 81%.

MITSUBISHI UNCLASSIFIED by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202076%3867,855 mi
201998%4474,456 mi
201882%50102,898 mi
201797%3073,466 mi
200966%38108,785 mi
200877%3599,130 mi
200773%105104,122 mi
200681%103120,952 mi
200573%188144,980 mi
200483%138114,487 mi
200377%183129,929 mi
200285%78118,130 mi
200182%77106,952 mi
200088%9890,302 mi
199986%5882,895 mi
199885%54101,954 mi
199777%4391,983 mi
199681%42133,642 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Check a Specific Mitsubishi Unclassified

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 1996 MITSUBISHI UNCLASSIFIED

The 1996 MITSUBISHI UNCLASSIFIED is a large car with a 2835cc diesel engine. 42 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1996, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 133,642 miles at 30 years old, MITSUBISHI UNCLASSIFIED owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1996 MITSUBISHI UNCLASSIFIED Fuel Costs

The 2835cc 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 1996 MITSUBISHI UNCLASSIFIED?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,045 170/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 81% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MITSUBISHI UNCLASSIFIED Reliability Trend

Older MITSUBISHI UNCLASSIFIEDs tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 7 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1996 MITSUBISHI UNCLASSIFIED

At 30 years old, the MITSUBISHI UNCLASSIFIED 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 2000 model has the highest pass rate at 88%. Note: with only 42 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1996 MITSUBISHI UNCLASSIFIED'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 1996 MITSUBISHI UNCLASSIFIED stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MITSUBISHI UNCLASSIFIED(1996)81%£1245£395Grp 30-42£2045
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1998)69%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2250+£205
LAND ROVER DEFENDER(1997)76%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050+£5
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(1998)77%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050+£5
FORD TRANSIT(1998)72%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050+£5

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.

Related Mitsubishi Models

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

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Mitsubishi Unclassified.

Check a specific MITSUBISHI UNCLASSIFIED

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a MITSUBISHI UNCLASSIFIED? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB