Used car guide

1999 Mitsubishi L200: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1999 Mitsubishi L200s, from 128 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 128 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

128MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 1999 cars: 65%)
5,100typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1999 Mitsubishi L200s than on all cars registered in 1999.

  • Engine oil leaks2.3× usual
    Mitsubishi L200
    36.7% All 1999 cars
    15.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.3% of all 1999 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.

  • Chassis rust or damage4.4× usual
    Mitsubishi L200
    25.8% All 1999 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.2%, against 2% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

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

By area

The share of 1999 Mitsubishi L200 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    44% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    40% 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.

  • Brakes
    38% 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.

  • 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    22% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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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%
1998105Lights and electrics 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1999 Mitsubishi L200s registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score