2001 Mitsubishi Shogun — MOT failures & pass rate
3,597 MOT tests on the 2001 Mitsubishi Shogun are in this dataset, and 72.3% of them passed. Against large SUVs of a similar age (25.1% fail rate), the 2001 Shogun comes out 2.6pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.9%) and suspension (14.5%) 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, integral vehicle structure condition and prescribed areas — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 556 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 14.8% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 30.4% once past 150k — 2.1× the risk.
The petrol cars hold up better: 25.8% fail against 28.4% for diesel, a 2.6-point gap across 3,597 tests.
Suspension 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 29.4% in 2021 to 27.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 537 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.5% | 520 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.5% | 412 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.8% | 354 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.5% | 232 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.3% | 192 |
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 | 556 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 227 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 217 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 210 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 203 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 196 |
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 | 39.3% | 1,414 |
| 2 | Brakes | 35.0% | 1,260 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.8% | 855 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.9% | 788 |
| 5 | Tyres | 18.1% | 653 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 570 |
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 | 122 | 14.8% |
| 60-90k | 425 | 24.0% |
| 90-120k | 1,028 | 27.6% |
| 120-150k | 1,029 | 28.5% |
| 150k+ | 981 | 30.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,591 | 28.4% |
| Petrol | 1,006 | 25.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,172 | 29.4% |
| 2022 | 874 | 27.5% |
| 2023 | 657 | 27.1% |
| 2024 | 503 | 24.9% |
| 2025 | 391 | 27.9% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Shogun
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.5% 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.
- Brakes (11.5% 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 2001 Mitsubishi Shoguns pass their MOT?
72.3% of the 3,597 2001 Mitsubishi Shogun MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Mitsubishi Shogun?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.9% of tests, followed by suspension (14.5%).
Does the 2001 Shogun get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.8% in the 30-60k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,597 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.