2003 Mitsubishi L200 — MOT failures & pass rate
2,358 MOT tests on the 2003 Mitsubishi L200 are in this dataset, and 71.2% of them passed. That is effectively the same as pick-up trucks of a similar age (28.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.0% of tests against 14.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, rigid brake pipes and wipers — position lamp alone was recorded 269 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 21.9% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 32.5% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 40.3% 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 | 22.0% | 519 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.2% | 334 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.7% | 322 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.5% | 248 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.1% | 192 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.0% | 142 |
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 | 269 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 246 |
| 3 | Wipers | 149 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 144 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 142 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 136 |
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 | 40.3% | 950 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.7% | 842 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 31.9% | 751 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 27.1% | 638 |
| 5 | Tyres | 21.1% | 497 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 427 |
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 | 178 | 21.9% |
| 60-90k | 482 | 27.4% |
| 90-120k | 646 | 28.2% |
| 120-150k | 577 | 30.7% |
| 150k+ | 455 | 32.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 600 | 28.8% |
| 2022 | 544 | 28.9% |
| 2023 | 482 | 28.4% |
| 2024 | 404 | 28.5% |
| 2025 | 328 | 29.9% |
What to check before buying a 2003 L200
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 22.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (22.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (14.2% 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 (13.7% 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 2003 Mitsubishi L200s pass their MOT?
71.2% of the 2,358 2003 Mitsubishi L200 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Mitsubishi L200?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.0% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (14.2%).
Does the 2003 L200 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.9% in the 30-60k band to 32.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,358 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.