2009 Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab passed 71.4% of its 2,342 recorded MOT tests. Pick-up trucks of a similar age fail at 27.9%, so the 2009 L200 Double Cab sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 20.0% of all tests — 3.2 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, ball joint and position lamp — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 271 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 29.8% versus 19.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 42.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.0% | 468 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.8% | 394 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.7% | 273 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 210 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.6% | 107 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.3% | 100 |
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 | 271 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 226 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 224 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 171 |
| 5 | Joints | 155 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 129 |
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 | 42.8% | 1,002 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.5% | 691 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.1% | 471 |
| 4 | Tyres | 18.8% | 441 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 424 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.3% | 242 |
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 | 129 | 19.4% |
| 60-90k | 364 | 27.5% |
| 90-120k | 626 | 27.0% |
| 120-150k | 665 | 32.2% |
| 150k+ | 536 | 29.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 567 | 26.3% |
| 2022 | 548 | 29.2% |
| 2023 | 477 | 30.2% |
| 2024 | 420 | 31.2% |
| 2025 | 330 | 26.4% |
What to check before buying a 2009 L200 Double Cab
On a 2009 L200 Double Cab, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.8% 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.
- Brakes (11.7% 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 L200 Double Cabs pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 2,342 2009 Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.0% of tests, followed by suspension (16.8%).
Does the 2009 L200 Double Cab get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.4% in the 30-60k band to 29.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,342 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.