Pickup · 1996–2021 cars

Mitsubishi L200 reliability

The Mitsubishi L200 fails 31.2% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, based on 308,124 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 49/100#5 of 13 pickups

Checking a Mitsubishi L200 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 31.2%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 1% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 308,124; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 10,700; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Mitsubishi L200 is about average against cars of the same age and mileage. Of its MOT tests from 2022 to 2024, 31.2% were first-time fails, against 28.4% for all cars. It ranks 5 of 13 pickup models. The best year was 2016, with 17% fewer MOT fails than comparable cars. The weakest year was 2014, with 13% more. Body, chassis and structure is the weak spot, with 57% more fails there than comparable cars.

Don't let that put you off. This model can still be a good buy if you check the right things, and 2016 cars have performed best. Before you buy, check for these common MOT failures: position lamp not working (4.88% of tests), rear fog lamp not working (3.68%), rigid brake pipe excessively corroded (3.5%), and wiper blade not clearing the windscreen (2.72%).

MOT fail rate by age

How the Mitsubishi L200 ages

Each point is the share of Mitsubishi L200s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Mitsubishi L200All cars

Mitsubishi L200 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Mitsubishi L200	All cars
3	14.7%	12.3%
4	15.9%	14.1%
5	16.7%	16.4%
6	18.9%	19.1%
7	23.1%	22.1%
8	27.4%	25.5%
9	34.2%	28.8%
10	36.7%	31.8%
11	39.5%	34.6%
12	42.3%	37.3%
13	44.9%	39.5%
14	45.3%	41.1%
15	46.5%	42.3%
16	46%	42.9%
17	45.8%	43.4%
18	44.4%	43.5%
19	44.5%	43.4%
20	42.6%	42.8%
21	44%	41.4%
22	42.3%	40.6%
23	44%	38.9%
24	42.6%	37.1%
25	43.8%	35.8%

By year

The best and worst Mitsubishi L200 years

2016 cars come out best and 2014 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Mitsubishi L200 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 L200	1,375	12.6%	11% fewer fails	35,521
2020 L200	8,496	13.3%	12% fewer fails	42,265
2019 L200	26,791	15.5%	3% fewer fails	45,234
2018 L200	29,517	16.7%	6% fewer fails	53,135
2017 L200	30,196	18.1%	11% fewer fails	62,006
2016 L200	24,696	19.3%	17% fewer fails	70,391
2015 L200	24,049	27.3%	4% more fails	77,203
2014 L200	16,922	33.1%	13% more fails	83,863
2013 L200	13,687	34.9%	7% more fails	93,784
2012 L200	10,908	37.2%	4% more fails	102,008
2011 L200	15,498	42.3%	9% more fails	113,748
2010 L200	14,037	43%	5% more fails	119,928
2009 L200	9,266	46.3%	9% more fails	123,352
2008 L200	10,314	46.1%	5% more fails	128,202
2007 L200	15,823	46.4%	4% more fails	127,471
2006 L200	19,815	46%	2% more fails	132,740
2005 L200	12,238	44.9%	1% fewer fails	121,661
2004 L200	9,469	43.9%	3% fewer fails	122,255
2003 L200	7,171	44.4%	1% fewer fails	122,061
2002 L200	3,477	44.8%	1% more fails	129,027
2001 L200	1,862	44.4%	3% more fails	131,354
2000 L200	1,024	43.5%	3% more fails	135,786
1999	761	42%	4% more fails	132,444
1998	511	47.4%	21% more fails	130,903
1997	202	39.1%	2% more fails	130,695

Common problems

What fails most on a Mitsubishi L200

Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 57% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics17%32% above avg
Suspension10.4%2% above avg
Brakes10.1%28% above avg
Body, chassis and structure6.6%57% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.5%9% above avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.3%14% below avg
Tyres3.1%55% below avg
Steering2.1%6% below avg
Seat belts and airbags1.6%18% above avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Position lamp not working 4.88% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
2
Rear fog lamp not working 3.68% of tests
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
3
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 3.5% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.72% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
5
CV joint boot split or insecure 2.27% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
6
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.06% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
7
Stop lamp not working 1.83% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
8
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.77% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mitsubishi L200's MOT certificate most often.

Brake pipes corroded and greasy16.86%
Tyre worn close to legal limit10.96%
Engine oil leak, not excessive6.65%
Brake pads wearing thin5.65%
Brake disc pitted or scored4.23%
Chassis corroded but still rigid3.85%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Mitsubishi L200

1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
2
Rear fog lamp not working
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
3
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Mitsubishi L200 covers about 10,700 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Diesel99.9%
Petrol0.1%
LPG0%

Most common colours

Black, White, Grey, Silver, Blue

Average engine size: 2.5 litres.

Compare

How the Mitsubishi L200 compares with its rivals

Mitsubishi L200 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Volkswagen Amarok	21.1%	17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mitsubishi L200	31.2%	about average for its age
Toyota Hilux	31.5%	4% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Isuzu Rodeo	44.1%	4% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Ranger	27.6%	5% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Nissan Navara	31.6%	11% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Isuzu D-Max	28.2%	18% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every pickup ranked in the pickup reliability index, or all Mitsubishi models.

Questions

Mitsubishi L200 questions, answered

Is the Mitsubishi L200 reliable?

On MOT results, the Mitsubishi L200 is about average: it fails 31.2% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage. It ranks 5 of 13 pickup models in our index.

What fails most on a Mitsubishi L200 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Mitsubishi L200 are position lamp not working (4.88% of tests), rear fog lamp not working (3.68% of tests), rigid brake pipe excessively corroded (3.5% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 17% of its tests.

Which Mitsubishi L200 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2016 cars do best (17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2014 cars do worst (13% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Mitsubishi L200 do a year?

A typical Mitsubishi L200 covers about 10,700 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Mitsubishi L200 before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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