Used car guide

2018 Mitsubishi Shogun: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Mitsubishi Shogun first registered in 2018: we looked at the 3,416 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,416MOTs of 2018 cars, done in 2023–2025
84%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 83%)
8,000typical miles a year
10×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Mitsubishi Shogun?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Mitsubishi Shogun than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Rigid brake pipes10× usual
    Mitsubishi Shogun
    5% All 2018 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.1% of all 2018 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 link bushes37× usual
    Mitsubishi Shogun
    3.7% All 2018 cars
    0.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0% of all 2018 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.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints18.5× usual
    Mitsubishi Shogun
    3.7% All 2018 cars
    0.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0% of all 2018 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.

  • Braking performance2.2× usual
    Mitsubishi Shogun
    2.6% All 2018 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.4% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 4.4% here, against 13.6% of all 2018 cars.

Common 2018 Mitsubishi Shogun MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Mitsubishi Shogun MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    25% 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
    18% 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
    15% 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
    7% 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
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Steering
    2% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Known faults on the 2018 Mitsubishi Shogun

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.

  • Timing chain guides rattling

    All engines

    The top timing chain guides can loosen and rattle.

    At the viewing: Listen for rattling from the engine, especially from cold.

    Source: What Car?: used Mitsubishi Shogun (2006 on) review

  • Fuel pump, EGR and oil leaks

    Diesel

    Fuel pump failure causes erratic idle, a blocked EGR valve cuts power, and the oil pressure switch can leak.

    At the viewing: Let it idle, drive it properly, and look for oil leaks.

    Source: What Car?: used Mitsubishi Shogun (2006 on) review

  • Noisy 4WD after towing, erratic infotainment

    All engines

    The four-wheel-drive system can be noisy on cars that have towed, and the infotainment and older electric windows play up.

    At the viewing: Listen for drivetrain noise and test the windows and screen.

    Source: What Car?: used Mitsubishi Shogun (2006 on) review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 Mitsubishi Shogun

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

  1. Have the timing chains or guides been replaced?
  2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 10× as often on the 2018 Mitsubishi Shogun as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 37× as often on the 2018 Mitsubishi Shogun as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 18.5× as often on the 2018 Mitsubishi Shogun as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mitsubishi Shogun?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Mitsubishi Shogun compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20212,402Brakes 22%
20201,995Brakes 25%
20192,191Brakes 27%
20173,505Brakes 27%
20164,681Brakes 30%
20155,574Brakes 29%
20144,675Brakes 31%
20132,733Brakes 33%
20122,022Brakes 36%
20113,259Brakes 35%
20103,170Suspension 40%
20091,938Suspension 47%
20082,880Suspension 49%
20076,575Suspension 52%
20068,436Suspension 51%
200510,780Suspension 51%
20049,780Suspension 50%
20035,216Suspension 50%
20023,055Suspension 50%
20011,713Suspension 49%
2000958Suspension 44%
1999877Brakes 44%
19981,153Brakes 44%
1997763Suspension 43%
1996576Brakes 41%
1995444Suspension 41%
1994221Brakes 45%
1993166Brakes 39%
1992–Too few tests
1991–Too few tests
1990–Too few tests
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Mitsubishi Shogun cars first registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score