2009 Mitsubishi L200 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 15,835 MOT tests analysed for the 2009 Mitsubishi L200, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 70.9% was below the average for pick-up trucks of a similar age (72.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.5% in the 150k+ group versus 7.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.6% | 3,108 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.7% | 2,647 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.0% | 1,904 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.0% | 1,590 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.2% | 822 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.3% | 677 |
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 | 1,944 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 1,529 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 1,462 |
| 4 | Joints | 1,175 |
| 5 | Rear fog lamp | 1,016 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 777 |
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 | 43.7% | 6,916 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.1% | 5,079 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.6% | 3,429 |
| 4 | Tyres | 18.5% | 2,933 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 2,666 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.5% | 1,660 |
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 | 51 | 7.8% |
| 30-60k | 732 | 20.2% |
| 60-90k | 2,461 | 27.0% |
| 90-120k | 4,356 | 29.6% |
| 120-150k | 4,265 | 30.1% |
| 150k+ | 3,961 | 30.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,762 | 28.2% |
| 2022 | 3,539 | 28.3% |
| 2023 | 3,213 | 29.4% |
| 2024 | 2,892 | 30.4% |
| 2025 | 2,429 | 29.6% |
What to check before buying a 2009 L200
Before buying a 2009 Mitsubishi L200, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 19.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (19.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.7% 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 (12.0% 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 2009 Mitsubishi L200s pass their MOT?
70.9% of the 15,835 2009 Mitsubishi L200 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Mitsubishi L200?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.6% of tests, followed by suspension (16.7%).
Does the 2009 L200 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.8% in the 0-30k band to 30.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,835 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.