1997 Mitsubishi L200 — MOT failures & pass rate
757 MOT tests on the 1997 Mitsubishi L200 are in this dataset, and 73.6% of them passed. Pick-up trucks of a similar age fail at 27.3%, so the 1997 L200 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.0%) and body, structure & corrosion (14.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, component mounting prescribed areas and position lamp — service brake performance alone was recorded 58 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 30.4% versus 13.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 39.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.0% in 2021 to 23.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 129 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.3% | 108 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.6% | 88 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.7% | 81 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.1% | 39 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.2% | 32 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 58 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 54 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 48 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 48 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 45 |
| 6 | Rear fog lamp | 41 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 39.6% | 300 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 36.9% | 279 |
| 3 | Brakes | 36.6% | 277 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 26.7% | 202 |
| 5 | Tyres | 15.5% | 117 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.0% | 106 |
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 | 37 | 13.5% |
| 60-90k | 128 | 26.6% |
| 90-120k | 154 | 23.4% |
| 120-150k | 170 | 25.9% |
| 150k+ | 266 | 30.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 193 | 30.0% |
| 2022 | 170 | 24.1% |
| 2023 | 158 | 29.1% |
| 2024 | 132 | 23.5% |
| 2025 | 104 | 23.1% |
What to check before buying a 1997 L200
On a 1997 L200, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (14.3% 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+.
- Suspension (11.6% 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.
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 1997 Mitsubishi L200s pass their MOT?
73.6% of the 757 1997 Mitsubishi L200 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Mitsubishi L200?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.0% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (14.3%).
Does the 1997 L200 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.5% in the 30-60k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 757 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.