Used car guide

1996 Mitsubishi Shogun: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1996 Mitsubishi Shoguns, from 180 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 180 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

180MOT tests in 2025
70%pass first time (all 1996 cars: 67%)
5,000typical miles a year
44%had brakes flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 1996 Mitsubishi Shogun MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    44% 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.

  • Suspension
    38% 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
    34% 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
    28% 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
    26% 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
    16% 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
20211,213Brakes 24%
2020679Brakes 28%
2019732Brakes 29%
20181,139Brakes 28%
20171,153Brakes 31%
20161,536Brakes 31%
20151,835Brakes 29%
20141,540Brakes 32%
2013904Suspension 35%
2012659Brakes 37%
20111,059Suspension 40%
2010998Suspension 44%
2009568Suspension 53%
2008843Suspension 49%
20071,867Suspension 55%
20062,293Suspension 51%
20052,864Suspension 52%
20042,593Suspension 51%
20031,360Suspension 51%
2002782Suspension 52%
2001439Suspension 55%
2000262Suspension 42%
1999235Brakes 45%
1998311Suspension 44%
1997219Brakes 42%
1995131Suspension 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1996 Mitsubishi Shoguns registered in 1996. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score