2004 Mitsubishi L200 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,874 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Mitsubishi L200, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 71.0% was in line with the average for pick-up trucks of a similar age (70.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.7% in the 150k+ group versus 19.4% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.4% | 831 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.8% | 494 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.6% | 489 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.7% | 416 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.7% | 258 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.4% | 249 |
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 | 413 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 362 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 243 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 220 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 212 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 198 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 41.1% | 1,594 |
| 2 | Suspension | 40.7% | 1,576 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 30.5% | 1,183 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 30.0% | 1,164 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 744 |
| 6 | Tyres | 18.6% | 719 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 268 | 19.4% |
| 60-90k | 810 | 29.0% |
| 90-120k | 1,099 | 27.9% |
| 120-150k | 918 | 30.7% |
| 150k+ | 770 | 31.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,005 | 29.5% |
| 2022 | 875 | 28.7% |
| 2023 | 783 | 29.0% |
| 2024 | 655 | 29.0% |
| 2025 | 556 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 2004 L200
Before buying a 2004 Mitsubishi L200, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 21.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (21.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.8% 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 (12.6% 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 L200s pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 3,874 2004 Mitsubishi L200 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Mitsubishi L200?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.4% of tests, followed by suspension (12.8%).
Does the 2004 L200 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.4% in the 30-60k band to 31.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,874 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.