Used buying checklist
Mitsubishi Shogun reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Mitsubishi Shogun looks worse than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 21.9% of 34,360 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 21.9% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 105,068 miles
- 7,508 failed MOT tests analysed
Corrosion and structure is the clearest area to check
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (69.5 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include is deformed and structural rigidity is significantly reduced, or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting, and corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- is deformed and structural rigidity is significantly reduced
- or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting
- corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength
- ball joint excessively worn
- ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- ball joint has excessive play
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)
- with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning
- lens defective which has no effect on emitted light
Focus on corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical
The model's recorded failure rate is 21.9%, +3.1 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed34,360 tests
- Median tested mileage105,068 miles
- Failed MOT tests7,508
Should you buy a used Mitsubishi Shogun?
78.1% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 21.9%, +3.1 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical
- corrosion and structure appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "is deformed and structural rigidity is significantly reduced"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (69.5 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Mitsubishi Shogun, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
The MOT failure rate rises from 11.1% at 0-3 years to 26.8% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (69.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (30.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (17.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (14.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (8.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Mitsubishi Shogun, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (69.5 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Mitsubishi Shogun mainly involve 5 areas: emissions, engine, and exhaust, brakes, suspension and steering, and mixed recall notices. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Mitsubishi Shogun, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are corrosion and structure, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and suspension and steering.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 5,332 | 4,705 | 9.8%-1.1 percentage points vs all models | 35,141 miles |
| 50-100k | 10,348 | 8,235 | 19.0%-1.7 percentage points vs all models | 76,967 miles |
| 100-150k | 11,838 | 8,667 | 27.1%+0.9 percentage points vs all models | 123,354 miles |
| 150-200k | 5,299 | 3,963 | 27.9%+0.6 percentage points vs all models | 166,379 miles |
| 200k+ | 1,166 | 871 | 27.3%+0.7 percentage points vs all models | 220,382 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Mitsubishi Shogun, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 11.1% at 0-3 years to 26.8% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 26.8% for 15+ years cars, based on 17,879 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
630 | 558 | 11.1%+2.7 percentage points vs all models | 3.0 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
3,087 | 2,650 | 10.8%+0.2 percentage points vs all models | 5.0 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
7,182 | 6,020 | 14.5%-2.1 percentage points vs all models | 8.0 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
5,582 | 4,190 | 22.9%-0.6 percentage points vs all models | 12.6 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
17,879 | 13,120 | 26.8%+0.9 percentage points vs all models | 18.4 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2020-11-20 | THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER ARM ASSEMBLY COULD BE BROKEN DUE TO IMPROPER WELDING The right front lower arm assembly could be broken due to improper welding by the supplier. The right front lower arm will be replaced |
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| 2015-02-11 | ENGINE MAY STALL Due to a fault in the engine ECU software it is possible that the 4M41 engines in the Shogun will not learn the variations or age deterioration in injectors and be able to adjust the amount of fuel being injection accordingly. This inability to learn these values correctly can result in the engine emits an excessive amount of soot to the DPF which can block it. This can result in the engine stalling and not being able to restart. Recall all affected vehicles and reprogramme engine ECU software. |
| 2009-02-04 | BRAKE PEDAL ASSIST FUNCTION MAY NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY Due to an incorrect manufacturing process the resin film within the brake assist accumulator may become damaged. If use continues in this condition a crack in the diaphragm may occur resulting in the depletion of the nitrogen gas resulting in (1) delay of the brake assist function under rapid braking. (2) An increase in the required brake pedal effort when the engine is started following a long period with the engine stopped. Recalled vehicles will have the accumulator checked to identify whether or not it is one within the affected batch. Should this be the case the accumulator will be replaced with one of a modified type. |
| 2008-01-07 | DRIVE SHAFT SECURING NUTS MAY LOOSEN The front and rear propeller shafts and the right hand front drive shaft have been fitted with nuts of an incorrect specification. The concern could lead to vibration which if not attended to could lead to the detachment of a shaft and loss of drive. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the nuts and washers fitted to the front and rear propeller shafts and the right hand front drive shaft. |
| 2007-08-17 | DRIVE MAY BE LOST It has been identified that the possibility exists that a bolt welded to the gearshift lever may fracture. Should this occur the adjustment may loosen and the shift cable may move. This can result in a mismatch between the gear shift selector and the actual gear selected. In the worst case the bolt may break which can cause the control cable to become disconnected and drive to be lost. Affected vehicles will have the transmission shift lever replaced with a quality assured item. |
| 2007-06-11 | STEERING CONTROL MAY BE LOST When used regularly in severe off road conditions the ball joint of the pitman arm may break resulting in loss of steering control. Recalled vehicles will be fitted with a modified pitman arm if this has not already been accomplished following a previous intervention. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Mitsubishi Shogun. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Mitsubishi reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.