Used car guide

2008 Mitsubishi L200: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Mitsubishi L200s, from 2,234 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,234MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
7,800typical miles a year
3.9×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Mitsubishi L200s than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.9× usual
    Mitsubishi L200
    37.2% All 2008 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.1%, against 1.5% of all 2008 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.

  • Chassis rust or damage6.8× usual
    Mitsubishi L200
    16.4% All 2008 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 0.6% of all 2008 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual
    Mitsubishi L200
    16% All 2008 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8%, against 3.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Rear fog light8.5× usual
    Mitsubishi L200
    8.5% All 2008 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, against 0.9% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Ball joint2.2× usual
    Mitsubishi L200
    14.1% All 2008 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 3.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 2% here, against 11.3% of all 2008 cars. Brake discs: 5.6% here, against 14.8% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 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.

  • Brakes
    49% 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.

  • 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.

  • Tyres
    23% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    20% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    17% 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.

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Cracked leaf springs
    All engines

    The rear leaf springs crack on pick-ups that carry heavy loads or tow. Listen for a regular knocking from a rear wheel.

    At the viewing: Look at the rear springs and listen for knocking.

    Source: Vanguide: Mitsubishi L200 common problems

  • Heater matrix leak
    All engines

    The heater matrix can fail early and leak, leaving an antifreeze smell and misted windows.

    At the viewing: Sniff for antifreeze and check the carpets are dry.

    Source: Vanguide: Mitsubishi L200 common problems

  • Head gasket and overheating
    All engines

    Overheating can lead to head gasket failure. A bubbling sound after switching off can mean the radiator is failing.

    At the viewing: Watch the temperature gauge and listen after switching off.

    Source: Vanguide: Mitsubishi L200 common problems

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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%
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%
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 2008 Mitsubishi L200s registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score