Unstoppable off-road, bargain full-size 4x4
A rugged, no-nonsense full-size SUV that prioritises genuine off-road ability and towing over on-road refinement. Discontinued in 2019, it offers serious capability at used prices well below Land Cruiser and Discovery rivals.
We track 5 known issues across the Mitsubishi Shogun range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Mitsubishi Shogun? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
2G (1991–2006) — Petrol options included the 3.0 V6, 3.5 V6, 3.5 GDI, with 2.5 TD, 2.8 TD on the diesel side. We track 4 known issues on this generation, with 3 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Suspension bush and joint wear (£800–£1,500 to address).
3G (2000–2013) — Engine options included the 3.2 DI-D, 3.2 DI-D. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Structural corrosion around brake component mounting points.
4G (2007–2021) — Engine options included the 3.2 DI-D, 2.4 DI-D. Our database flags 4 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Structural corrosion around brake component mounting points.
The load-bearing structure within 30cm of brake system component mounting points suffers from accelerated corrosion on third and fourth generation Shoguns. This affects the structural integrity around brake master cylinder, servo, and ABS pump mounting areas. The combination of road salt exposure and the vehicle's tendency to trap moisture in these areas creates ideal conditions for rapid metal degradation. MOT data shows this model fails at 47x the fleet average rate for this specific structural defect.
Structural failure around brake component mounting points creates immediate safety risk through brake system failure. The affected areas cannot be welded economically due to access restrictions and the precision required for brake component mounting. Most affected vehicles are written off rather than repaired.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
Suspension bushes and ball joints wear at an exceptionally high rate on all Shogun generations due to the vehicle's weight, off-road usage, and inadequate bush compound specification for the loads involved. The front lower arm bushes, anti-roll bar bushes, and ball joints are particularly affected. MOT data shows this model fails at over 100x the fleet average rate, making it one of the most suspension-wear-prone vehicles in the UK.
Worn suspension bushes cause poor handling, accelerated tyre wear, and eventual MOT failure. Severely worn ball joints create safety risk through loss of steering control. Complete suspension overhaul typically costs £1,500-£3,000 depending on how many components require replacement.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Wheel bearings wear prematurely on all Shogun generations due to the vehicle's weight, off-road use exposure to water and dirt, and inadequate sealing design. Front wheel bearings are particularly affected due to additional steering loads. MOT data shows failure rates nearly 60x higher than the fleet average, with the problem affecting all engine variants across the model's production run.
Worn wheel bearings cause noise, vibration, and uneven tyre wear. Complete bearing failure leads to wheel detachment and loss of vehicle control. Individual bearing replacement costs £200-£400 per corner. Multiple bearing failure is common, requiring budget of £800-£1,600 for full vehicle overhaul.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The steering rack develops excessive free play and oil leakage on second and third generation Shoguns due to inadequate seal design and the high steering loads imposed by the vehicle's weight and large tyres. Internal rack bushes wear rapidly, creating steering dead zones and vague road feel. MOT data shows steering box oil leaks at 71x the fleet average and excessive steering play at 76x the average.
Progressive steering rack wear leads to dangerous loss of steering precision and eventual MOT failure. Complete steering rack replacement costs £800-£1,500 including labour. Continued driving with excessive play creates safety risk through reduced steering control.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
Diesel variants produce excessive smoke levels that exceed MOT emission limits, particularly on higher mileage examples. This affects turbocharger efficiency, injector wear, and air filter contamination on all diesel engine variants. The problem stems from worn injector seals, contaminated air filtration, and turbocharger oil seal deterioration creating incomplete combustion.
Excessive smoke emissions cause MOT failure and indicate deteriorating engine condition. Root cause diagnosis typically costs £150-£300. Repairs range from £200 for fuel system service to £1,500+ for turbocharger replacement. Vehicle remains drivable but requires prompt attention for MOT compliance.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Mitsubishi Shogun common problems page.
Based on 167k real DVSA MOT tests, the Mitsubishi Shogun fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is abs fault at 100x the fleet average, followed by free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (97x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Mitsubishi Shogun MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 6k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include automatic transmission fluid (£200–£300).
See the full Mitsubishi Shogun service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Mitsubishi Shogun has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. 2015-2019 final production run models benefit from the most refined suspension and best equipment levels. The last Mk4 cars represent the pinnacle of the Shogun's long development.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Mitsubishi Shogun, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Mitsubishi Shogun issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.