Used car guide

1997 Mitsubishi Shogun: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1997 Mitsubishi Shoguns, from 219 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 219 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

219MOT tests in 2025
68%pass first time (all 1997 cars: 67%)
4,500typical miles a year
3.9×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1997 Mitsubishi Shoguns than on all cars registered in 1997.

  • Chassis rust or damage3.9× usual
    Mitsubishi Shogun
    23.7% All 1997 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 2.1% of all 1997 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.

  • Rigid brake pipes2× usual
    Mitsubishi Shogun
    28.8% All 1997 cars
    14.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.9% of all 1997 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 1997 Mitsubishi Shogun MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    42% 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
    42% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    36% 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
    34% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    30% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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%
1996180Brakes 44%
1995131Suspension 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1997 Mitsubishi Shoguns registered in 1997. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score