2017 Mitsubishi L200: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Mitsubishi L200?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Mitsubishi L200 than on all cars registered in 2017.

• Rigid brake pipes14.9× usual
  Mitsubishi L200

  14.9% All 2017 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.1% of all 2017 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.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints23.5× usual
  Mitsubishi L200

  4.7% All 2017 cars

  0.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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 absorbers2× usual
  Mitsubishi L200

  6.1% All 2017 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.5% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Number plate lights2.3× usual
  Mitsubishi L200

  4.5% All 2017 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.6% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Sidelights2.8× usual
  Mitsubishi L200

  2.2% All 2017 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.7% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

Common 2017 Mitsubishi L200 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 Mitsubishi L200 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  29% 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.

• Tyres
  19% 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.

• Suspension
  14% 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
  13% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Rust and bodywork
  2% 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.

Known faults on the 2017 Mitsubishi L200

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 springs

  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

  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

  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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2017 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 14.9× as often on the 2017 Mitsubishi L200 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 23.5× as often on the 2017 Mitsubishi L200 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2017 Mitsubishi L200 as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?