2012 Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2012 Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab passed 76.0% of its 250 recorded MOT tests. Pick-up trucks of a similar age fail at 24.5%, so the 2012 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 18.4% of all tests — 8.4 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 22 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2012 L200 Double Cab fails 23.6% of the time in the 60-90k band and 25.0% at 120-150k, a spread of only 1.4 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 36.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 20.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 46 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.0% | 25 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.8% | 22 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.4% | 11 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.0% | 10 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.8% | 7 |
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 | 22 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 18 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 17 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 14 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 10 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 10 |
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 | 36.8% | 92 |
| 2 | Suspension | 21.6% | 54 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.6% | 44 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.8% | 37 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.6% | 24 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.0% | 20 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 89 | 23.6% |
| 90-120k | 82 | 20.7% |
| 120-150k | 36 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 49 | 20.4% |
| 2022 | 55 | 25.4% |
| 2023 | 57 | 26.3% |
| 2024 | 45 | 24.4% |
| 2025 | 44 | 22.7% |
What to check before buying a 2012 L200 Double Cab
On a 2012 L200 Double Cab, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.0% 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 (8.8% 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 2012 Mitsubishi L200 Double Cabs pass their MOT?
76.0% of the 250 2012 Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.4% of tests, followed by suspension (10.0%).
Does the 2012 L200 Double Cab get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.6% in the 60-90k band to 25.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 250 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.