2004 Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 14,989 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 70.9% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.9% in the 150k+ group versus 18.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.3% | 3,191 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.5% | 2,027 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.1% | 1,963 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.0% | 1,653 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.7% | 1,010 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.5% | 970 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 1,530 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,338 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 882 |
| 4 | Joints | 842 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 830 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 828 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 40.3% | 6,046 |
| 2 | Brakes | 38.5% | 5,768 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 31.9% | 4,785 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 30.0% | 4,496 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 20.4% | 3,064 |
| 6 | Tyres | 18.0% | 2,703 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 49 | 18.4% |
| 30-60k | 489 | 19.2% |
| 60-90k | 2,106 | 25.8% |
| 90-120k | 4,393 | 30.0% |
| 120-150k | 4,468 | 30.2% |
| 150k+ | 3,466 | 29.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 14,931 | 29.0% |
| Petrol | 58 | 37.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,422 | 28.8% |
| 2022 | 3,716 | 29.2% |
| 2023 | 2,877 | 29.1% |
| 2024 | 2,221 | 28.8% |
| 2025 | 1,753 | 29.7% |
What to check before buying a 2004 L200 Double Cab
Before buying a 2004 Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 21.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (21.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.1% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2004 Mitsubishi L200 Double Cabs pass their MOT?
70.9% of the 14,989 2004 Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.3% of tests, followed by suspension (13.5%).
Does the 2004 L200 Double Cab get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.4% in the 0-30k band to 29.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,989 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.