2005 Mitsubishi L200 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2005 Mitsubishi L200 passed 71.1% of its 5,897 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as pick-up trucks of a similar age (29.0% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.4% of tests against 13.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, rigid brake pipes and rear fog lamp — position lamp alone was recorded 664 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 34.4% in the 0-30k band and 29.3% in the 150k+ band, a 5.1-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 42.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.1% in 2021 to 27.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.4% | 1,318 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.7% | 805 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.8% | 694 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.0% | 647 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.5% | 381 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.2% | 366 |
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 | 664 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 515 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 412 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 314 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 307 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 306 |
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 | 42.4% | 2,501 |
| 2 | Brakes | 41.3% | 2,436 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 28.7% | 1,695 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 27.7% | 1,634 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 22.3% | 1,313 |
| 6 | Tyres | 20.7% | 1,220 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 32 | 34.4% |
| 30-60k | 290 | 22.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,106 | 28.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,681 | 29.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,551 | 29.0% |
| 150k+ | 1,235 | 29.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,572 | 30.1% |
| 2022 | 1,378 | 29.0% |
| 2023 | 1,185 | 28.9% |
| 2024 | 956 | 28.2% |
| 2025 | 806 | 27.4% |
What to check before buying a 2005 L200
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 22.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (22.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.8% 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+.
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 2005 Mitsubishi L200s pass their MOT?
71.1% of the 5,897 2005 Mitsubishi L200 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mitsubishi L200?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.4% of tests, followed by suspension (13.7%).
Does the 2005 L200 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 34.4% in the 0-30k band to 29.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,897 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.