Mitsubishi L200 2013: reliability & common MOT faults
Elevated MOT failure patterns for the 2013 Mitsubishi L200 include Rear fog lamp (~16.5× peers) and Rear fog lamp (rear) (~12.3× peers). Based on UK DVSA open data for test year 2025 (1,345 failed first-attempt tests), compared with similar age and mileage peers. Available test years: 2024, 2025.
Common faults
These are MOT failure patterns that show up more often on this registration year than on similar cars of the same class, age band, and mileage in the same test year (leave-one-out peer comparison; whole model family excluded).
Statistical patterns from MOT defect codes — not manufacturer TSBs, recalls, or a diagnosis of any individual car. Fail and advisory patterns are kept separate.
Based on 1,345 failed first-attempt tests in test year 2025.
Rear fog lamp
This failure pattern appears about 16.5× more often than on similar peer cars — recorded on 248 failed first-attempt tests; 18.4% of failed tests for this model year.
Any · 248 failures · ×16.5 vs similar cars · 18.4% of failed first tests · Strong pattern — appears far more often than similar cars
Rear fog lamp (rear)
This failure pattern appears about 12.3× more often than on similar peer cars — recorded on 113 failed first-attempt tests; 8.4% of failed tests for this model year.
Rear · 113 failures · ×12.3 vs similar cars · 8.4% of failed first tests · Strong pattern — appears far more often than similar cars
Rigid brake pipes (rear)
This failure pattern appears about 8.5× more often than on similar peer cars — recorded on 129 failed first-attempt tests; 9.6% of failed tests for this model year.
Rear · 129 failures · ×8.5 vs similar cars · 9.6% of failed first tests · Strong pattern — appears far more often than similar cars
| # | Fault pattern | Location | Failures | vs similar cars | Share of fails | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Leaf spring (rear)
Suspension > Springs > Leaf springs > Leaf spring
|
Rear | 80 | ×45.4 | 5.9% | Likely common fault pattern |
| 2 |
Rear fog lamp
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment > Front and rear fog lamps > Rear fog lamp > Rear fog lamp
|
Any | 248 | ×16.5 | 18.4% | Strong pattern — appears far more often than similar cars |
| 3 |
Rear fog lamp (rear)
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment > Front and rear fog lamps > Rear fog lamp > Rear fog lamp
|
Rear | 113 | ×12.3 | 8.4% | Strong pattern — appears far more often than similar cars |
| 4 |
Rigid brake pipes
Brakes > Rigid brake pipes
|
Any | 52 | ×11.4 | 3.9% | Likely common fault pattern |
| 5 |
Rigid brake pipes (front)
Brakes > Rigid brake pipes
|
Front | 79 | ×8.6 | 5.9% | Likely common fault pattern |
| 6 |
Rigid brake pipes (rear)
Brakes > Rigid brake pipes
|
Rear | 129 | ×8.5 | 9.6% | Strong pattern — appears far more often than similar cars |
| 7 |
Service brake imbalance (front)
Brakes > Brake performance > Service brake performance > Rbt > Service brake imbalance
|
Front | 27 | ×5.6 | 2.0% | Possible elevated fault |
| 8 |
Anti-lock braking system
Brakes > ABS / EBS / ESC > Anti-lock braking system
|
Any | 82 | ×4.7 | 6.1% | Likely common fault pattern |
| 9 |
Emissions not tested
Noise, emissions and leaks > Exhaust emissions > Compression ignition > Emissions not tested
|
Any | 28 | ×3.9 | 2.1% | Possible elevated fault |
| 10 |
Shock absorbers (front)
Suspension > Shock absorbers
|
Front | 78 | ×3.3 | 5.8% | Likely common fault pattern |
Only patterns that clear minimum sample and elevation thresholds are shown (at least 20 failures and 2.0× peer lift).
Advisories
Advisory items recorded on failed first-attempt tests that appear elevated versus peers. Advisories are not a fail rate — they flag issues noted at the test, often before they become failures.
| # | Advisory pattern | Location | Notes | vs similar cars | Share | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Shackle pins and bushes (rear)
Suspension > Springs > Leaf springs > Shackle pins and bushes
|
Rear | 34 | ×99.9 | 2.5% | Elevated vs peers |
| 2 |
Chassis condition
Body, chassis, structure > Chassis > Chassis condition
|
Any | 107 | ×32.3 | 8.0% | Elevated vs peers |
| 3 |
Chassis condition (rear)
Body, chassis, structure > Chassis > Chassis condition
|
Rear | 41 | ×12.8 | 3.0% | Elevated vs peers |
| 4 |
Rigid brake pipes
Brakes > Rigid brake pipes
|
Any | 122 | ×7.2 | 9.1% | Likely common fault pattern |
| 5 |
Rigid brake pipes (front)
Brakes > Rigid brake pipes
|
Front | 203 | ×6.7 | 15.1% | Likely common fault pattern |
| 6 |
Suspension arm (front)
Suspension > Suspension arms > Suspension arm
|
Front | 63 | ×5.6 | 4.7% | Elevated vs peers |
| 7 |
Rigid brake pipes (rear)
Brakes > Rigid brake pipes
|
Rear | 218 | ×4.8 | 16.2% | Strong pattern — appears far more often than similar cars |
| 8 |
Flexible brake hoses (front)
Brakes > Flexible brake hoses
|
Front | 21 | ×4.3 | 1.6% | Elevated vs peers |
FAQs
About this data
Universe. UK class 4 cars only; normal MOT tests (not retests); results pass, PRS, or fail; one first test per vehicle per calendar year.
PRS policy. PRS means the vehicle failed items that were fixed at the test station and then passed the same day. We count PRS as a first-attempt fail in headline rates so same-day repairs do not hide problems.
Peer baseline. We compare this model year with other class 4 cars of similar age and mileage in the same test year, excluding the whole model family so the car is not compared with itself (leave-one-out peer baseline).
Data years. Test years covered: 2024, 2025.
Limitations.
- MOT tests do not cover engine internals, gearboxes, or many electronic modules — so this is not a full reliability score.
- Common faults are inferred from MOT defect statistics, not manufacturer TSBs or recalls.
- Matching on age and mileage reduces but does not remove every usage or maintenance difference between cars.
- Pass rates and star scores appear only when those data marts are available; this page never invents them.
Display rules config: 1
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.