2002 Mitsubishi Shogun — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,152 MOT tests, the 2002 Mitsubishi Shogun recorded a 71.8% pass rate. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 25.3% of the time, so this is 2.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (15.1%) and lighting & signalling (14.9%) 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 headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 1,121 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 37.3% in the 0-30k band and 30.3% in the 150k+ band, a 7.0-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 28.0% of the time against 28.2% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 39.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.8% in 2021 to 26.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.1% | 1,081 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 1,064 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.3% | 809 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.5% | 751 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.1% | 507 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.0% | 360 |
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 | 1,121 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 416 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 410 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 405 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 375 |
| 6 | Chassis condition | 371 |
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 | 39.2% | 2,803 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.1% | 2,364 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.4% | 1,673 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.0% | 1,361 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.8% | 1,272 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 17.6% | 1,261 |
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 | 59 | 37.3% |
| 30-60k | 222 | 20.3% |
| 60-90k | 880 | 25.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,816 | 27.0% |
| 120-150k | 2,092 | 28.9% |
| 150k+ | 2,066 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,685 | 28.2% |
| Petrol | 1,467 | 28.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,156 | 28.8% |
| 2022 | 1,762 | 28.0% |
| 2023 | 1,382 | 29.2% |
| 2024 | 1,041 | 27.5% |
| 2025 | 811 | 26.1% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Shogun
On a 2002 Shogun, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (15.1% 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.
- 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.
- Brakes (11.3% 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 2002 Mitsubishi Shoguns pass their MOT?
71.8% of the 7,152 2002 Mitsubishi Shogun MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mitsubishi Shogun?
Suspension, recorded in 15.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (14.9%).
Does the 2002 Shogun get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 37.3% in the 0-30k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,152 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.