Mitsubishi Fuso Canter
VanFrom 3,081 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn and tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements. The top issue, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, caused 180 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 180 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 155 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 94 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 87 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 71 |
| service brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 60 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 58 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 56 |
| a steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 53 |
| windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view | 52 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 40.5% of failures are serious: 30.5% are safety issues (brakes, steering, tyre damage) and 10% could actually leave you stranded. That's close to the 44.4% average across all models. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £82.
The warranty question
A 3-year-old Canter passes its MOT 74% of the time. By 7 years old that drops to 68.9%, a 5.1 percentage point fall, right as the manufacturer warranty runs out. With an average repair bill of £82 when things go wrong, an extended warranty can make sense on a Canter that's past its third birthday.
Mitsubishi Fuso Canter on UK roads
The fleet is growing: 155 newly registered in the past year with 96 leaving, a net gain of 59. Currently at its highest numbers ever.
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 2,449 | 445 | +39 | -30 | +9 |
| 2025 Q2 | 2,438 | 447 | +46 | -10 | +36 |
| 2025 Q1 | 2,417 | 432 | +32 | -32 | +0 |
| 2024 Q4 | 2,435 | 414 | +38 | -24 | +14 |
| 2024 Q3 | 2,429 | 406 | +40 | -47 | -7 |
| 2024 Q2 | 2,426 | 416 | +42 | -24 | +18 |
| 2024 Q1 | 2,424 | 400 | +51 | -4 | +47 |
| 2023 Q4 | 2,409 | 368 | +44 | -42 | +2 |
10 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canter 3C13 25 | Diesel | 550 | 26% |
| Canter 3C13 34 | Diesel | 449 | 21% |
| Canter 3C13 28 | Diesel | 355 | 17% |
| Canter 3C15 38 Auto | Diesel | 157 | 7% |
| Canter 3C13 38 | Diesel | 154 | 7% |
| Canter 3C15 34 Auto | Diesel | 134 | 6% |
| Canter 3C13-25 Swb | Diesel | 107 | 5% |
| Canter 3C15 28 Auto | Diesel | 102 | 5% |
| Canter 3C15 25 Auto | Diesel | 82 | 4% |
| Canter 3C13-34 Lwb | Diesel | 52 | 2% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 78.8% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen |
| 2020 | 74% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2019 | 73.1% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2018 | 69.1% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
10 earlier years
| 2017 | 74.2% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction |
| 2016 | 68.9% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2015 | 67% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2014 | 76.8% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction |
| 2013 | 73.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2012 | 66.9% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2011 | 67% | a steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps |
| 2010 | 65.2% | a steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2008 | 63.6% | a steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2007 | 56.7% | a steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
Typical mileage
Half of all Canters tested had between 46,521 and 91,280 miles on the clock.
At 63,369 median miles, the Canter has 0.046 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Common questions
What is the Mitsubishi Fuso Canter MOT pass rate?
The Mitsubishi Fuso Canter has a 70.7% MOT pass rate based on 3,081 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mitsubishi Fuso Canter?
The most common MOT failure on the Mitsubishi Fuso Canter is a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, which caused 180 failures. Other common issues include a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn.
How many Mitsubishi Fuso Canters are on UK roads?
There are 2,449 Mitsubishi Fuso Canters currently licensed on UK roads, with 445 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Mitsubishi Fuso Canter at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mitsubishi Fuso Canter is 63,369 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 46,521 and 91,280 miles.
Buying a used Canter?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 70.7% pass rate and an average repair bill of £82 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
Van insurance works differently to car insurance. Make sure you're comparing like-for-like quotes for your use case. Compare van insurance.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.