2009 Mitsubishi Shogun — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,467 MOT tests, the 2009 Mitsubishi Shogun recorded a 73.7% pass rate. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 21.6% of the time, so this is 4.6pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.8%) and suspension (11.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, component mounting prescribed areas and headlamp aim — track rod end alone was recorded 235 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.2% in the 30-60k band and 27.1% in the 150k+ band, a 8.9-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 33.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 24.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 573 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.7% | 523 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.6% | 475 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.4% | 333 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.7% | 300 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 226 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 235 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 228 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 224 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 216 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 196 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 189 |
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 | 33.7% | 1,505 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.6% | 1,324 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.1% | 807 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.9% | 800 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.0% | 493 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 8.2% | 365 |
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 | 181 | 18.2% |
| 60-90k | 826 | 23.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,446 | 26.3% |
| 120-150k | 1,207 | 28.2% |
| 150k+ | 774 | 27.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,018 | 24.7% |
| 2022 | 966 | 26.2% |
| 2023 | 928 | 27.3% |
| 2024 | 834 | 27.3% |
| 2025 | 721 | 26.2% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Shogun
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.7% 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 (10.6% 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 2009 Mitsubishi Shoguns pass their MOT?
73.7% of the 4,467 2009 Mitsubishi Shogun MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Mitsubishi Shogun?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.8% of tests, followed by suspension (11.7%).
Does the 2009 Shogun get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.2% in the 30-60k band to 27.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,467 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.