2003 Mitsubishi Shogun Pinin — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,762 MOT tests, the 2003 Mitsubishi Shogun Pinin recorded a 67.3% pass rate. That is 5.1 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.5%) and suspension (17.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, position lamp and chassis condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 604 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 34.9% versus 27.8%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 40.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 33.9% in 2021 to 28.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.5% | 326 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.8% | 313 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.3% | 216 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.8% | 207 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.8% | 138 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.1% | 107 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 604 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 181 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 172 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 147 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 121 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 108 |
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 | 40.4% | 711 |
| 2 | Suspension | 38.3% | 675 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.7% | 417 |
| 4 | Tyres | 23.0% | 405 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 317 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.8% | 226 |
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 | 327 | 27.8% |
| 60-90k | 641 | 32.3% |
| 90-120k | 561 | 36.5% |
| 120-150k | 159 | 30.8% |
| 150k+ | 43 | 34.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 551 | 33.9% |
| 2022 | 435 | 32.6% |
| 2023 | 341 | 32.6% |
| 2024 | 247 | 34.0% |
| 2025 | 188 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Shogun Pinin
On a 2003 Shogun Pinin, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.8% 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 (12.3% 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 2003 Mitsubishi Shogun Pinins pass their MOT?
67.3% of the 1,762 2003 Mitsubishi Shogun Pinin MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Mitsubishi Shogun Pinin?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.5% of tests, followed by suspension (17.8%).
Does the 2003 Shogun Pinin get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.8% in the 30-60k band to 34.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,762 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.