Used car guide

1998 Mitsubishi L200: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1998 Mitsubishi L200s, from 105 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 105 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

105MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 1998 cars: 66%)
4,900typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1998 Mitsubishi L200s than on all cars registered in 1998.

  • Engine oil leaks2.1× usual
    Mitsubishi L200
    36.2% All 1998 cars
    16.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.4% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.1× usual
    Mitsubishi L200
    30.5% All 1998 cars
    14.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 2% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

By area

The share of 1998 Mitsubishi L200 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    55% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Suspension
    52% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    41% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    36% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Rust and bodywork
    34% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Tyres
    28% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20212,586Tyres 18%
20204,645Brakes 20%
20198,559Brakes 24%
20187,689Brakes 28%
20177,899Brakes 33%
20166,447Brakes 34%
20156,329Brakes 41%
20144,464Brakes 42%
20133,486Brakes 41%
20122,658Brakes 45%
20113,714Brakes 48%
20103,230Suspension 51%
20092,109Suspension 50%
20082,234Suspension 50%
20073,394Suspension 53%
20064,071Suspension 53%
20052,406Lights and electrics 51%
20041,809Suspension 48%
20031,265Suspension 49%
2002638Lights and electrics 48%
2001329Suspension 50%
2000185Suspension 52%
1999128Suspension 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1998 Mitsubishi L200s registered in 1998. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score