2020 Mitsubishi L200: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Mitsubishi L200?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Mitsubishi L200 than on all cars registered in 2020.

• Rigid brake pipes36× usual
  Mitsubishi L200

  3.6% All 2020 cars

  0.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints27× usual
  Mitsubishi L200

  2.7% All 2020 cars

  0.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Number plate lights3.3× usual
  Mitsubishi L200

  2.3% All 2020 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.2% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Common 2020 Mitsubishi L200 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Mitsubishi L200 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  18% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  17% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  9% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Suspension
  6% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Seats and seatbelts
  2% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2020 Mitsubishi L200

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Cracked leaf springs

  All engines

  The rear leaf springs crack on pick-ups that carry heavy loads or tow. Listen for a regular knocking from a rear wheel.

  At the viewing: Look at the rear springs and listen for knocking.

  Source: Vanguide: Mitsubishi L200 common problems

• Heater matrix leak

  All engines

  The heater matrix can fail early and leak, leaving an antifreeze smell and misted windows.

  At the viewing: Sniff for antifreeze and check the carpets are dry.

  Source: Vanguide: Mitsubishi L200 common problems

• Head gasket and overheating

  All engines

  Overheating can lead to head gasket failure. A bubbling sound after switching off can mean the radiator is failing.

  At the viewing: Watch the temperature gauge and listen after switching off.

  Source: Vanguide: Mitsubishi L200 common problems

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Mitsubishi L200

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has it towed or carried heavy loads often?
2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 36× as often on the 2020 Mitsubishi L200 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 27× as often on the 2020 Mitsubishi L200 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2020 Mitsubishi L200 as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?