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Mitsubishi L300 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Mitsubishi L300 car check

Is the Mitsubishi L300 reliable? We analysed 33,109 real MOT tests across 4,892 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 33,109 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
68.3%
Typical Mileage
113,723mi
Annual Mileage
4,409mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
43yrs

The Mitsubishi L300 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mitsubishi L300.

Mitsubishi L300 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Mitsubishi L300. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Mitsubishi L300 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Mitsubishi L300 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

67.4%
2006
76.6%
2005
68.2%
2004
68.8%
2003
76%
2002
70.4%
2001
72.2%
2000
70.7%
1999
69.4%
1998
69.2%
1997
67.3%
1996
67.7%
1995
67.4%
1994
66.3%
1993
65.7%
1992
66.1%
1991
66.2%
1990
68%
1989
66.8%
1988
63.9%
1987

Mitsubishi L300 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Mitsubishi L300 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Brake pipe excessively corroded 2,162
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1,687
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 1,287
Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 1,286
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 1,232
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 1,034
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 955
fog lamp not working 910
Registration plate lamp not working 837
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 828

Mitsubishi L300 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Mitsubishi L300 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
2,122 mi/yr
Typical
4,409 mi/yr
Average
5,526 mi/yr
Heavy usage
7,430 mi/yr

Mitsubishi L300 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mitsubishi L300 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2006 86 67.4% 75,483 166,244 197,252
2005 158 76.6% 100,834 132,831 165,225
2004 154 68.2% 95,917 126,022 148,242
2003 250 68.8% 124,502 158,498 185,420
2002 525 76.0% 61,634 87,304 140,996
2001 1,513 70.4% 74,421 99,321 135,265
2000 2,316 72.2% 68,868 96,226 129,511
1999 2,563 70.7% 72,943 99,283 131,462
1998 2,741 69.4% 77,632 106,034 137,638
1997 2,933 69.2% 85,729 111,278 139,912
1996 3,710 67.3% 87,885 115,884 147,648
1995 2,887 67.7% 96,307 122,507 156,925
1994 2,362 67.4% 103,228 133,213 164,490
1993 2,080 66.3% 97,941 129,327 167,482
1992 1,748 65.7% 95,725 124,873 159,902
1991 1,630 66.1% 94,944 125,050 157,489
1990 1,371 66.2% 96,322 124,275 157,637
1989 1,188 68.0% 98,049 117,816 158,902
1988 981 66.8% 93,045 121,633 166,064
1987 366 63.9% 95,715 136,722 170,756

How Long Does a Mitsubishi L300 Last?

Based on 4,892 Mitsubishi L300 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
15.4 years
Median
15.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
43 years

Mitsubishi L300 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Mitsubishi L300 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
113,723 mi
75th Percentile
149,782 mi
95th Percentile
206,567 mi
Max Recorded
999,668 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Mitsubishi L300

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2005

76.6% MOT pass rate from 158 tests

Year to avoid
1984

61.7% MOT pass rate from 266 tests

The best year to buy a used Mitsubishi L300 is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.6% across 158 tests. The 1984 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Mitsubishi L300 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Mitsubishi L300 THIS CAR 68.3% 33,109 113,723 mi 43 yrs
Mitsubishi L200 74.1% 1,362,678 80,302 mi 29 yrs
Mitsubishi Shogun 71.9% 1,312,716 107,142 mi 37 yrs
Mitsubishi Colt 72.5% 950,325 59,666 mi 30 yrs
Triumph Street Triple R 89.1% 25,519 11,017 mi 18 yrs

Compared to the Mitsubishi L200 (74.1% pass rate) and the Mitsubishi Shogun (71.9% pass rate), the Mitsubishi L300 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Mitsubishi L300?

The Mitsubishi L300 has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.3% across 33,109 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Mitsubishi L300 are brake pipe excessively corroded (2,162 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1,687), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (1,287). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Mitsubishi L300 owner drives around 4,409 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Mitsubishi L300 models stay on UK roads for around 43 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Mitsubishi L300 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mitsubishi L300 reliable?
Based on 33,109 MOT tests, the Mitsubishi L300 has a 68.3% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Mitsubishi L300?
The most common MOT failures are brake pipe excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Mitsubishi L300 do per year?
The typical Mitsubishi L300 does around 4,409 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Mitsubishi L300 last?
Most Mitsubishi L300 models stay on UK roads for around 43 years based on our analysis of 4,892 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Mitsubishi L300?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Mitsubishi L300?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Mitsubishi L300 is 2005 with a 76.6% pass rate across 158 tests.