1996 Mitsubishi Shogun — MOT failures & pass rate
1,312 MOT tests on the 1996 Mitsubishi Shogun are in this dataset, and 76.4% of them passed. That is effectively the same as large SUVs of a similar age (24.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in body, structure & corrosion, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — body, structure & corrosion (14.3%) and lighting & signalling (11.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are chassis condition, integral vehicle structure condition and prescribed areas — chassis condition alone was recorded 131 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.3% in the 30-60k band and 25.6% in the 150k+ band, a 8.3-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 39.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.2% in 2021 to 19.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.3% | 188 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 152 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.1% | 119 |
| 4 | Suspension | 8.0% | 105 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 62 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.0% | 52 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chassis condition | 131 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 105 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 97 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 76 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 64 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 57 |
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 | 39.3% | 515 |
| 2 | Suspension | 37.6% | 493 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 30.9% | 406 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 25.1% | 329 |
| 5 | Tyres | 14.3% | 188 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.5% | 177 |
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 | 52 | 17.3% |
| 60-90k | 135 | 23.7% |
| 90-120k | 286 | 22.7% |
| 120-150k | 330 | 22.1% |
| 150k+ | 508 | 25.6% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 935 | 23.8% |
| Petrol | 377 | 22.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 371 | 27.2% |
| 2022 | 273 | 22.0% |
| 2023 | 241 | 23.6% |
| 2024 | 223 | 22.9% |
| 2025 | 204 | 19.6% |
What to check before buying a 1996 Shogun
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: body, structure & corrosion accounted for 14.3% of tests. Start there.
- Body, structure & corrosion (14.3% 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+.
- Lighting & signalling (11.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.1% 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.
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 1996 Mitsubishi Shoguns pass their MOT?
76.4% of the 1,312 1996 Mitsubishi Shogun MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1996 Mitsubishi Shogun?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 14.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.6%).
Does the 1996 Shogun get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.3% in the 30-60k band to 25.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,312 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.