2005 Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 18,382 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 71.6% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.6% in the 150k+ group versus 22.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.1% | 3,875 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.2% | 2,618 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.9% | 2,190 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.5% | 1,940 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.6% | 1,210 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.9% | 1,090 |
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 | 1,820 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,538 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 1,291 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1,104 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 1,054 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 941 |
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 | 44.2% | 8,132 |
| 2 | Brakes | 38.0% | 6,986 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 31.3% | 5,748 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 29.1% | 5,354 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 22.6% | 4,148 |
| 6 | Tyres | 17.9% | 3,294 |
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 | 45 | 22.2% |
| 30-60k | 548 | 21.3% |
| 60-90k | 2,612 | 26.3% |
| 90-120k | 5,676 | 27.2% |
| 120-150k | 5,682 | 30.3% |
| 150k+ | 3,797 | 29.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,265 | 28.7% |
| 2022 | 4,519 | 28.9% |
| 2023 | 3,553 | 27.5% |
| 2024 | 2,819 | 29.0% |
| 2025 | 2,226 | 27.3% |
What to check before buying a 2005 L200 Double Cab
Before buying a 2005 Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 21.1% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (21.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.2% 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 (11.9% 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 2005 Mitsubishi L200 Double Cabs pass their MOT?
71.6% of the 18,382 2005 Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.1% of tests, followed by suspension (14.2%).
Does the 2005 L200 Double Cab get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.2% in the 0-30k band to 29.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,382 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.