At a Glance
The Mitsubishi Canter has 27 identified common problems across 3 generations (1963–present), with the Seventh Generation being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 52K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Mitsubishi Canter common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Mitsubishi Canter generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Mitsubishi Canter Generations
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Most Common Mitsubishi Canter MOT Failures
Every reason Mitsubishi Canter vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 7.35% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 7.00% |
| 3 | Stop lamp not working | 7.00% |
| 4 | Number plate lamp not working | 6.73% |
| 5 | Front lamp not working | 6.47% |
| 6 | Track rod end worn | 5.86% |
| 7 | Exhaust system fault | 5.38% |
| 8 | Windscreen washer not working | 5.35% |
| 9 | Tyre condition | 5.07% |
| 10 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 4.31% |
| 11 | Brake performance below minimum | 3.22% |
| 12 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 2.44% |
| 13 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.35% |
| 14 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.16% |
| 15 | Parking brake condition | 1.91% |
| 16 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 1.82% |
| 17 | Position lamp not working | 1.78% |
| 18 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.50% |
| 19 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.35% |
| 20 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.33% |
| 21 | Headlamp fault | 1.28% |
| 22 | Front suspension fault | 1.03% |
| 23 | Indicator fault | 0.90% |
| 24 | Horn not working | 0.83% |
| 25 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.71% |
| 26 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.67% |
| 27 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.52% |
| 28 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.50% |
| 29 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.50% |
| 30 | Brake pedal fault | 0.48% |
| 31 | Rear lamp not working | 0.47% |
| 32 | Fog lamp not working | 0.47% |
| 33 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.43% |
| 34 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | 0.42% |
| 35 | Seat belt condition | 0.41% |
| 36 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.39% |
| 37 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.38% |
| 38 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.36% |
| 39 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.32% |
| 40 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.31% |
| 41 | Outline marker lamp not working | 0.30% |
| 42 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.29% |
| 43 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.27% |
| 44 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.25% |
| 45 | Chassis condition | 0.24% |
| 46 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.22% |
| 47 | Driver seat fault | 0.21% |
| 48 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.21% |
| 49 | Drag link end worn | 0.21% |
| 50 | Brake lever fault | 0.21% |
| 51 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.19% |
| 52 | Brake fluid leak | 0.19% |
| 53 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.19% |
| 54 | Electrical switch fault | 0.19% |
| 55 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.18% |
| 56 | Engine oil leak | 0.18% |
| 57 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.17% |
| 58 | Passenger seat fault | 0.17% |
| 59 | Towbar fault | 0.16% |
| 60 | Dropside damaged or insecure | 0.16% |
| 61 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.16% |
| 62 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.16% |
| 63 | Brake caliper fault | 0.16% |
| 64 | Stub axle worn | 0.14% |
| 65 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.14% |
| 66 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.13% |
| 67 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.12% |
| 68 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.12% |
| 69 | Propshaft fault | 0.12% |
| 70 | ABS fault | 0.11% |
| 71 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.11% |
| 72 | Steering lock fault | 0.10% |
| 73 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.10% |
| 74 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.10% |
| 75 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.09% |
| 76 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | 0.08% |
| 77 | Spare wheel fault | 0.08% |
| 78 | Rear suspension fault | 0.08% |
| 79 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | 0.07% |
| 80 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | 0.07% |
| 81 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.07% |
| 82 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.07% |
| 83 | Brake clevis joint worn | 0.07% |
| 84 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.07% |
| 85 | Speedometer fault | 0.07% |
| 86 | Steering column fault | 0.07% |
| 87 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.06% |
| 88 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.06% |
| 89 | Body security fault | 0.06% |
| 90 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.06% |
| 91 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.06% |
| 92 | Steering box fault | 0.05% |
| 93 | Step damaged or insecure | 0.05% |
| 94 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | 0.05% |
| 95 | Brake relay lever fault | 0.04% |
| 96 | Brake valve fault | 0.04% |
| 97 | Steering arm worn | 0.04% |
| 98 | Exhaust leak | 0.04% |
| 99 | Steering operation fault | 0.04% |
| 100 | Mirror or camera fault | 0.04% |
| 101 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.04% |
| 102 | Transmission oil leak | 0.04% |
| 103 | Driveshaft fault | 0.03% |
| 104 | Halfshaft fault | 0.03% |
| 105 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 106 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.03% |
| 107 | Steering rack fault | 0.02% |
| 108 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 109 | Airbag warning light on | 0.02% |
| 110 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 111 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.02% |
| 112 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 113 | Brake servo fault | 0.02% |
| 114 | Driver door fault | 0.02% |
| 115 | Spring saddle corroded | 0.02% |
| 116 | Steering free play excessive | 0.02% |
| 117 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 118 | Anchor bracket corroded | 0.01% |
| 119 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 120 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 121 | Axle corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 122 | Front passenger door fault | 0.01% |
| 123 | Hydraulic fluid leak | 0.01% |
| 124 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.01% |
| 125 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 126 | Dip switch fault | 0.01% |
| 127 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.01% |
| 128 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | 0.01% |
| 129 | Steering lock stop fault | 0.01% |
| 130 | Wheel hub fault | 0.01% |
| 131 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 133 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 135 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 138 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 139 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 143 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 146 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 147 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 148 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 149 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 150 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | <0.01% |
| 153 | Driver airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 155 | Handbrake lever fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Leaf spring slipper worn | <0.01% |
| 158 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Subframe corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 161 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 162 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 164 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
Showing all 164 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Mitsubishi Canter MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Mitsubishi Canter, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Mitsubishi Canter problems?
Based on analysis of 52K Mitsubishi Canter MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 27 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake performance below minimum". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Mitsubishi Canter generation has the most problems?
The Mitsubishi Canter Seventh Generation (2005–present) has the highest number of identified common problems (35). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Mitsubishi Canter?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Mitsubishi Canter owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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