Used car guide · 1986–2021

Mitsubishi Shogun common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Mitsubishi Shogun, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 95,057 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1989 Mitsubishi Shogun

Our MOT figures start with cars first registered in 1990. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Mitsubishi Shogun as a whole.

104on the UK register at the end of 2025
Dieselfuel type
What to check on a 1989 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998199719961995199419931992199119901989198819871986

What usually goes wrong with a Mitsubishi Shogun?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Timing chain guides rattling

    Cars registered 2007–2018 · All engines

    The top timing chain guides can loosen and rattle.

    At the viewing: Listen for rattling from the engine, especially from cold.

    Source: What Car?: used Mitsubishi Shogun (2006 on) review

  • Fuel pump, EGR and oil leaks

    Cars registered 2007–2018 · Diesel

    Fuel pump failure causes erratic idle, a blocked EGR valve cuts power, and the oil pressure switch can leak.

    At the viewing: Let it idle, drive it properly, and look for oil leaks.

    Source: What Car?: used Mitsubishi Shogun (2006 on) review

  • Noisy 4WD after towing, erratic infotainment

    Cars registered 2007–2018 · All engines

    The four-wheel-drive system can be noisy on cars that have towed, and the infotainment and older electric windows play up.

    At the viewing: Listen for drivetrain noise and test the windows and screen.

    Source: What Car?: used Mitsubishi Shogun (2006 on) review

Common Mitsubishi Shogun MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Chassis rust or damage

    up to 4.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Body structure rust or damage

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

  • Wheel bearings

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Exhaust system

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005 and 2006.

    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.

Diesel

  • Chassis rust or damage

    up to 4.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Wheel bearings

    up to 3.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Ball joint

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1997, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Body structure rust or damage

    up to 3.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1997, 1998 and 1999.

    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.

Mitsubishi Shogun MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2015 Mitsubishi Shogun did best (79% passed first time, 5 points above all 2015 cars) and the 2020 did worst (84%, 3 points below all 2020 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202187%87% +02,401
202084%87% -31,995
201984%85% -12,188
201884%83% +13,416
201782%80% +23,505
201679%77% +24,677
201579%74% +55,570
201475%70% +54,666
201371%67% +42,730
201269%64% +52,016
201166%62% +43,249
201063%60% +33,169
200959%59% +01,933
200859%57% +22,861
200758%57% +16,569
200657%56% +18,436
200557%57% +010,778
200459%57% +29,780
200359%57% +25,216
200259%58% +13,055
200159%60% -11,713
200063%61% +2958
199967%63% +4877
199868%65% +31,153
199767%65% +2763
199668%66% +2576
199570%67% +3444 (small sample)
199467%67% +0211 (small sample)
199378%68% +10152 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Mitsubishi Shogun

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

  1. Have the timing chains or guides been replaced?
  2. Any recent work on the chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 7.2× as often on the Mitsubishi Shogun as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 25× as often on the Mitsubishi Shogun as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 63× as often on the Mitsubishi Shogun as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mitsubishi Shogun?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score