2012 Mitsubishi L200: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Mitsubishi L200s, from 2,658 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Mitsubishi L200s than on all cars registered in 2012.
- Rigid brake pipes5.9× usualMitsubishi L20032.5% All 2012 cars5.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt 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.
- Rear fog light15.6× usualMitsubishi L20012.5% All 2012 cars0.8%
Failed outright at MOT: 11.8%, against 0.7% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
- Chassis rust or damage15.4× usualMitsubishi L20010.8% All 2012 cars0.7%
Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
- Ball joint dust cover3.8× usualMitsubishi L20011.1% All 2012 cars2.9%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
- Shock absorbers2× usualMitsubishi L20013.1% All 2012 cars6.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.7% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.
Suspension arm bushes and joints: 1% here, against 10.1% of all 2012 cars. Tyre condition: 6.5% here, against 14.5% of all 2012 cars.
By area
The share of 2012 Mitsubishi L200 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Brakes45% 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.
- Suspension40% 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 electrics39% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Tyres21% 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 bodywork14% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors12% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
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 springsAll 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.
- Heater matrix leakAll 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.
- Head gasket and overheatingAll 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.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,586 | Tyres 18% |
| 2020 | 4,645 | Brakes 20% |
| 2019 | 8,559 | Brakes 24% |
| 2018 | 7,689 | Brakes 28% |
| 2017 | 7,899 | Brakes 33% |
| 2016 | 6,447 | Brakes 34% |
| 2015 | 6,329 | Brakes 41% |
| 2014 | 4,464 | Brakes 42% |
| 2013 | 3,486 | Brakes 41% |
| 2011 | 3,714 | Brakes 48% |
| 2010 | 3,230 | Suspension 51% |
| 2009 | 2,109 | Suspension 50% |
| 2008 | 2,234 | Suspension 50% |
| 2007 | 3,394 | Suspension 53% |
| 2006 | 4,071 | Suspension 53% |
| 2005 | 2,406 | Lights and electrics 51% |
| 2004 | 1,809 | Suspension 48% |
| 2003 | 1,265 | Suspension 49% |
| 2002 | 638 | Lights and electrics 48% |
| 2001 | 329 | Suspension 50% |
| 2000 | 185 | Suspension 52% |
| 1999 | 128 | Suspension 50% |
| 1998 | 105 | Lights and electrics 55% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Mitsubishi L200s registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score