2003 Mitsubishi L200 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 56.6% of Mitsubishi L200s first used in 2003 passed their MOT first time, against 58.7% for all cars first used in 2003. Across 4,963 L200 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, body, chassis and structure and suspension.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Mitsubishi L200s first used in 2003 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2003 Mitsubishi L200 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, L200s first used in 2003 against all cars first used in 2003 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the L200 figure was in line with the all-cars figure.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2003 L200 | All cars first used 2003 | L200 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 52.2% | 54.0% | 3,231 |
| 2022 | 53.5% | 55.7% | 2,686 |
| 2023 | 54.5% | 56.7% | 2,097 |
| 2024 | 56.9% | 57.2% | 1,616 |
| 2025 | 56.6% | 58.7% | 1,250 |
Common 2003 Mitsubishi L200 MOT failures
Share of the 2,194 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working | 21.6% | 473 |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | 11.8% | 259 |
| Rear fog lamp: not working | 11.4% | 251 |
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 11.3% | 248 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 10.6% | 232 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2003 Mitsubishi L200 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Body and underside. Worth looking underneath with a torch at the sills, floor and mountings for corrosion, and at the rubber boots on the drive shafts for splits.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
Common 2003 Mitsubishi L200 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2003 L200s, as a share of all 4,963 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 30.0% | 1,488 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 29.8% | 1,478 |
| Wheel bearings: has slight play | 13.6% | 675 |
| Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced | 11.8% | 584 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 10.9% | 540 |
Questions about the 2003 Mitsubishi L200 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2003 Mitsubishi L200?
In 2025, 56.6% of L200s first used in 2003 passed their MOT first time, against 58.7% for all cars first used in 2003. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2003 L200 most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 59.0% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), body, chassis and structure (41.0%) and suspension (40.1%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (21.6%).
How often does a 2003 Mitsubishi L200 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 43.4% of first tests on L200s first used in 2003 did not pass first time: 35.8% failed, and a further 7.7% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 2,194 of 4,963 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2003 Mitsubishi L200 MOT advisories?
“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 30.0% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (29.8%), “Wheel bearings: has slight play” (13.6%), “Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced” (11.8%) and “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (10.9%).
Is a 2003 Mitsubishi L200 reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 52.2% in 2021 to 56.6% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2003
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2003 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2003 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2003 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2003 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2003 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2003 L200?
The numbers above cover every L200 first used in 2003 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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