1998 Mitsubishi L200 — MOT failures & pass rate
798 MOT tests on the 1998 Mitsubishi L200 are in this dataset, and 70.2% of them passed. Pick-up trucks of a similar age fail 27.9% of the time, so this is 1.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.6% of tests against 16.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, chassis condition and component mounting prescribed areas — position lamp alone was recorded 90 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 22.0% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 29.8% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 39.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.6% | 156 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.4% | 131 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.7% | 117 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.5% | 92 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.6% | 61 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.1% | 49 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 90 |
| 2 | Chassis condition | 89 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 77 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 56 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 55 |
| 6 | Rear fog lamp | 52 |
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 | 39.5% | 315 |
| 2 | Brakes | 38.2% | 305 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 36.7% | 293 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 28.8% | 230 |
| 5 | Tyres | 18.6% | 148 |
| 6 | Steering | 17.4% | 139 |
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 | 59 | 22.0% |
| 60-90k | 72 | 22.2% |
| 90-120k | 151 | 30.5% |
| 120-150k | 262 | 33.6% |
| 150k+ | 248 | 29.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 199 | 30.6% |
| 2022 | 180 | 28.9% |
| 2023 | 154 | 29.2% |
| 2024 | 144 | 29.9% |
| 2025 | 121 | 30.6% |
What to check before buying a 1998 L200
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.6% of tests. Start there.
- 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (16.4% 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 (14.7% 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.
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 1998 Mitsubishi L200s pass their MOT?
70.2% of the 798 1998 Mitsubishi L200 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Mitsubishi L200?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.6% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (16.4%).
Does the 1998 L200 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.0% in the 30-60k band to 29.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 798 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.