Mitsubishi Pajero NS Inspection Checklist

2006-2021 · 7 things to check before you buy, taken from this car's known problems.

All engines

mediumRear sideshaft pulls out of diff / oil leak

Look for: A known Pajero trait: a rear sideshaft (axle) can creep slightly out of the rear differential, allowing diff oil to weep past the seal.

If you find it: Re-seat the sideshaft and replace the seal; some fit a retaining fix to stop recurrence.

From 100k+ km · ~$300-900

mediumINVECS-II 5-speed auto shift quality

Look for: The 5-speed auto can become jerky or flare, often from neglected fluid or a tired solenoid/valve body, rather than total failure.

If you find it: Proper fluid service (it is serviceable); valve-body or solenoid work if shifting is poor.

From 120k+ km · ~$300-3000

mediumDual-mass flywheel / clutch (manual diesel)

Look for: Manual diesels use a dual-mass flywheel that wears; replacement is a clutch-out labour job.

If you find it: Replace clutch and DMF together when symptoms (rattle, shudder) appear.

From 150k+ km · ~$1800-3000

3.2L 4M41 DI-D turbo diesel

highTiming-chain guide wear

Look for: The hard-plastic upper timing-chain guide wears thin; broken pieces can foul the chain and let it jump timing, causing catastrophic engine damage. The guide itself is a ~$25 part and about an hour's work - the disparity between the preventive fix and the failure cost is enormous.

If you find it: Replace the upper chain guide preventively (cheap insurance). Listen for chain rattle on cold start.

Inspect from 100k km · ~$100-200 preventive (vs $5000-6000 if it fails)

mediumDPF clogging on short trips (NS/NT)

Look for: The DPF won't regenerate properly on repeated short runs; it soot-loads and triggers forced regens. The NT improved the design before the DPF was later dropped.

If you find it: Do regular 20km+ runs to allow regen; address soot loading early. Some later cars don't have a DPF.

Any (DPF cars) · ~$500-2000

mediumEngine oil dilution from regen

Look for: Interrupted/short-trip regens dump fuel into the sump, raising and thinning the oil level over time.

If you find it: Check oil level/condition regularly; shorten oil-change interval if used mostly for short trips.

Any (DPF cars on short trips) · Maintenance

mediumInjector and pump wear (high km)

Look for: Injectors and the high-pressure pump wear at high km, causing rough running and smoke.

If you find it: Rebuild pump/injectors preventively before failure - the engine then easily runs well past 300k.

From 200k+ km · ~$1500-3500

From FlamingCars' Mitsubishi Pajero guide. It's a checklist of known problems, not a replacement for a professional pre-purchase inspection. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.

Pajero NS / NT / NW / NX (4th gen) inspection checklist

All engines

3.2L 4M41 DI-D turbo diesel