2018 Mitsubishi L200 — MOT failures & pass rate
45,416 MOT tests on the 2018 Mitsubishi L200 are in this dataset, and 88.9% of them passed. Pick-up trucks of a similar age fail 14.2% of the time, so this is 3.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.3%) and brakes (4.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, brake pads and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,605 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 20.8% once past 150k — 3.0× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 19.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 9.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 13.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.3% | 2,852 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.8% | 2,198 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.8% | 1,744 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.5% | 1,115 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.0% | 924 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 332 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 1,605 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 1,464 |
| 3 | Wipers | 1,401 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 925 |
| 5 | Washers | 724 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 695 |
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 | 19.2% | 8,724 |
| 2 | Tyres | 17.2% | 7,815 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.1% | 2,750 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.1% | 2,326 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.9% | 1,754 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.3% | 1,480 |
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 | 9,101 | 6.9% |
| 30-60k | 19,221 | 10.3% |
| 60-90k | 11,239 | 13.0% |
| 90-120k | 4,311 | 16.0% |
| 120-150k | 1,186 | 18.3% |
| 150k+ | 355 | 20.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,491 | 9.4% |
| 2022 | 9,249 | 9.8% |
| 2023 | 9,094 | 11.1% |
| 2024 | 8,841 | 11.8% |
| 2025 | 8,741 | 13.6% |
What to check before buying a 2018 L200
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 6.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (6.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (4.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Visibility (3.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2018 Mitsubishi L200s pass their MOT?
88.9% of the 45,416 2018 Mitsubishi L200 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Mitsubishi L200?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.3% of tests, followed by brakes (4.8%).
Does the 2018 L200 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.9% in the 0-30k band to 20.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 45,416 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.