Mitsubishi Cordia License Plate Bulb Size

The Mitsubishi Cordia license plate light uses bulb size 257 or 57 depending on the specific version of the vehicle. Data for the lighting components covers the period from 1983 through 1988.

The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.

Bulb Size by Year Range

Years	Bulb Size
1986-1988	257
1985	57
1983-1984	257

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon or BA9s base instrument bulb. 12V, 2W.	257
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA9s base. 12V, 1W.	57

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Mitsubishi Cordia uses two distinct bulb types across its model years for the license plate position: the 257 and the 57.
The 257 bulb is the predominant fitment, appearing in the 1983-1984 and 1986-1988 model years.
Both the 257 and the 57 are ANSI-standardized bulbs recognized in the United States and Canada.
The 257 operates at 12 volts and draws 2 watts, classifying it as a low-wattage bulb suited for illumination positions that require minimal power consumption.
The 57 bulb, fitted to the 1985 Cordia, operates at 12 volts but draws only 1 watt, making it a lower-output unit than the 257.
The 57 is a single-filament bulb with a BA9s base, which is a miniature bayonet-style cap with a 9mm collar.
The 257 is described as either a festoon or BA9s base bulb, meaning it is available in two physically different base configurations under the same ANSI designation.
Because the 257 can have either a festoon or a BA9s base, the specific base style of the original fitment should be confirmed before substitution, as the two base types are not interchangeable with each other.
The 57 and 257 share the same BA9s base type, but their wattage ratings differ, and substituting one for the other would alter the electrical load at the license plate socket.