2008 Mitsubishi L200 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 17,945 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Mitsubishi L200, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 70.6% was in line with the average for pick-up trucks of a similar age (71.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.4% in the 150k+ group versus 14.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.7% | 3,529 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.2% | 3,090 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.6% | 2,265 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.5% | 1,881 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.3% | 948 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.7% | 671 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,184 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 1,697 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 1,658 |
| 4 | Joints | 1,409 |
| 5 | Rear fog lamp | 1,202 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 902 |
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 | 43.3% | 7,763 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.4% | 5,986 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.9% | 3,929 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.2% | 3,449 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.5% | 2,968 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 12.4% | 2,226 |
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 | 87 | 14.9% |
| 30-60k | 565 | 23.4% |
| 60-90k | 2,105 | 27.2% |
| 90-120k | 4,960 | 29.1% |
| 120-150k | 5,259 | 30.3% |
| 150k+ | 4,959 | 30.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 17,910 | 29.4% |
| Petrol | 33 | 24.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,448 | 28.7% |
| 2022 | 4,117 | 30.2% |
| 2023 | 3,626 | 29.4% |
| 2024 | 3,135 | 29.4% |
| 2025 | 2,619 | 29.3% |
What to check before buying a 2008 L200
Before buying a 2008 Mitsubishi L200, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 19.7% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (19.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.2% 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.
- Brakes (12.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2008 Mitsubishi L200s pass their MOT?
70.6% of the 17,945 2008 Mitsubishi L200 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Mitsubishi L200?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.7% of tests, followed by suspension (17.2%).
Does the 2008 L200 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.9% in the 0-30k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 17,945 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.