Used car guide · 1995–2021

Mitsubishi L200 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Mitsubishi L200, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 259,659 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

259,659MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
105on the UK register
3known faults across all years
2016best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971995

What usually goes wrong with a Mitsubishi L200?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Cracked leaf springs

    Cars registered 2006–2021 · 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

    Cars registered 2006–2021 · 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

    Cars registered 2006–2021 · 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

Common Mitsubishi L200 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 36× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    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 damage

    up to 35× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints

    up to 46× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Rear fog light

    up to 19.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Wheel bearings

    up to 4.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

Mitsubishi L200 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2016 Mitsubishi L200 did best (78% passed first time, 1 point above all 2016 cars) and the 2009 did worst (52%, 7 points below all 2009 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202186%87% -15,244
202085%87% -214,166
201983%85% -226,516
201881%83% -223,518
201780%80% +024,181
201678%77% +119,832
201570%74% -419,682
201465%70% -514,059
201362%67% -511,242
201260%64% -48,792
201156%62% -612,387
201055%60% -511,056
200952%59% -77,291
200854%57% -37,931
200754%57% -312,215
200654%56% -214,958
200556%57% -18,985
200455%57% -26,869
200356%57% -14,966
200255%58% -32,470
200157%60% -31,305
200057%61% -4729
199958%63% -5472 (small sample)
199855%65% -10359 (small sample)
199762%65% -3329 (small sample)
199555%67% -12105 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Mitsubishi L200

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Has it towed or carried heavy loads often?
  2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 36× as often on the Mitsubishi L200 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 35× as often on the Mitsubishi L200 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 46× as often on the Mitsubishi L200 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mitsubishi L200?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score