2001 Mitsubishi L200 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,255 MOT tests, the 2001 Mitsubishi L200 recorded a 72.9% pass rate. That is 1.5 percentage points better than pick-up trucks of a similar age, which fail at 28.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.5% of tests against 13.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, rigid brake pipes and chassis condition — position lamp alone was recorded 131 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.2% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 28.2% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 39.1% 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 | 20.5% | 257 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.6% | 171 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.5% | 169 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.0% | 138 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.1% | 76 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.5% | 69 |
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 | 131 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 111 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 107 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 95 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 67 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 64 |
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 | 39.1% | 491 |
| 2 | Suspension | 37.1% | 466 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 35.5% | 445 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 33.6% | 422 |
| 5 | Tyres | 20.7% | 260 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 211 |
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 | 55 | 18.2% |
| 60-90k | 184 | 22.8% |
| 90-120k | 281 | 28.1% |
| 120-150k | 331 | 29.0% |
| 150k+ | 390 | 28.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,220 | 27.1% |
| Petrol | 35 | 28.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 384 | 26.0% |
| 2022 | 296 | 27.7% |
| 2023 | 243 | 28.0% |
| 2024 | 179 | 27.9% |
| 2025 | 153 | 26.1% |
What to check before buying a 2001 L200
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 20.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (20.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.6% 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 (13.5% 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 2001 Mitsubishi L200s pass their MOT?
72.9% of the 1,255 2001 Mitsubishi L200 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Mitsubishi L200?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.5% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (13.6%).
Does the 2001 L200 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.2% in the 30-60k band to 28.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,255 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.