Used car guide

2012 Mitsubishi Shogun: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Mitsubishi Shoguns, from 659 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

659MOT tests in 2025
67%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
7,900typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Mitsubishi Shoguns than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.3× usual
    Mitsubishi Shogun
    18.1% All 2012 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 0.8% of all 2012 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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings5.8× usual
    Mitsubishi Shogun
    5.8% All 2012 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.3% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Ball joint1.9× usual
    Mitsubishi Shogun
    10.8% All 2012 cars
    5.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 3% of all 2012 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.

  • Exhaust system1.9× usual
    Mitsubishi Shogun
    10.5% All 2012 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.5% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 3.6% here, against 14.5% of all 2012 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4.7% here, against 10.1% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Mitsubishi Shogun MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    37% 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
    36% 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
    23% 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
    16% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    12% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    11% 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.

Looking at a Mitsubishi Shogun?

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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%
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%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Mitsubishi Shoguns registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score