Mitsubishi Shogun MOT Failures
An analysis of 334,351 real DVSA MOT tests on the Mitsubishi Shogun — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: 2G (1991–2006), 3G (2000–2013), 4G (2007–2021).
Where the Mitsubishi Shogun fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Mitsubishi Shogun is abs fault — this model is 100 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 334,351 MOT tests, 0.17% of all Mitsubishi Shogun tests recorded this as a failure.
Bodywork failures usually mean structural corrosion — not cosmetic rust, but rot that affects the car's structural integrity. Check sills, subframes, and chassis rails carefully, especially on older examples.
Other notable weak points include free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (97x the fleet average), anti-roll bar links worn (63x the fleet average), towbar fault (57x the fleet average), and seat mounting fault (24x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Mitsubishi Shogun's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 6 categories: Bodywork, Steering, Suspension, Seatbelts & Airbags, Exhaust & Emissions and others. If you're inspecting a Mitsubishi Shogun before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Mitsubishi Shogun's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Mitsubishi Shogun specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are anti-roll bar links worn (63x the average) and towbar fault (57x). suspension component damaged or corroded (22x) and body, cab or chassis corroded at a mounting point (13x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Mitsubishi Shogun specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are abs fault (100x the average) and free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (97x). towbar fault (49x) and structural corrosion (39x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Mitsubishi Shogun specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (82x the average) and abs fault (68x). fixings missing or insecure (63x) and step or stair in a deteriorated condition (60x) also appear frequently.
The shift from anti-roll bar links worn at lower mileages to free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Mitsubishi Shogun specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Structural corrosion around brake component mounting points (3G/4G) Dangerous
The load-bearing structure within 30cm of brake system component mounting points suffers from accelerated corrosion on third and fourth generation Shoguns. Affects 3G, 4G.
Suspension bush and joint wear (2G/3G/4G) Major
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. Affects 2G, 3G, 4G; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£1,500.
Wheel bearing wear (2G/3G/4G) Major
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. Affects 2G, 3G, 4G; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£300.
Steering rack wear and leakage (2G/3G) Major
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. Affects 2G, 3G; typical independent garage repair cost is £600–£900.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Mitsubishi Shogun common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Mitsubishi Shogun
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Mitsubishi Shogun:
Bodywork — check for abs fault, towbar fault. Steering — check for free play in the steering, measured at the rim .... Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn, wheel bearings worn.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about structural corrosion around brake component mounting points and suspension bush and joint wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Mitsubishi Shogun?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Mitsubishi Shogun MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Mitsubishi Shogun?
Based on 334,351 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is abs fault — at 100x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... and anti-roll bar links worn.
Is the Mitsubishi Shogun reliable based on MOT data?
The Mitsubishi Shogun has 23 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag structural corrosion around brake component mounting points as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Mitsubishi Shogun most commonly fails on free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... and abs fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are anti-roll bar links worn and towbar fault.
How do I check a Mitsubishi Shogun's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.