2008 Mitsubishi Shogun — MOT failures & pass rate
6,750 MOT tests on the 2008 Mitsubishi Shogun are in this dataset, and 72.8% of them passed. That is 4.4 percentage points worse than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 22.7%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (13.5%) and lighting & signalling (12.7%) 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, track rod end and ball joint — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 414 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.4% in the 0-30k band and 28.2% in the 150k+ band, a 7.8-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.5% | 908 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 855 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.0% | 676 |
| 4 | Steering | 8.6% | 580 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 470 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 332 |
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 | 414 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 397 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 397 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 318 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 317 |
| 6 | Steering rack | 299 |
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 | 33.9% | 2,286 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.4% | 1,917 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.8% | 1,267 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.7% | 1,194 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 10.2% | 690 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.8% | 592 |
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 | 49 | 20.4% |
| 30-60k | 276 | 20.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,133 | 23.4% |
| 90-120k | 2,083 | 27.9% |
| 120-150k | 1,867 | 29.0% |
| 150k+ | 1,339 | 28.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 6,714 | 27.2% |
| Petrol | 36 | 19.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,635 | 26.5% |
| 2022 | 1,471 | 27.9% |
| 2023 | 1,379 | 27.9% |
| 2024 | 1,213 | 27.2% |
| 2025 | 1,052 | 26.1% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Shogun
On a 2008 Shogun, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (13.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (12.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.0% 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 2008 Mitsubishi Shoguns pass their MOT?
72.8% of the 6,750 2008 Mitsubishi Shogun MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Mitsubishi Shogun?
Suspension, recorded in 13.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.7%).
Does the 2008 Shogun get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.4% in the 0-30k band to 28.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,750 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.