2014 Mitsubishi L200 2.5L Diesel · YD14 ADZ

The Mitsubishi L200 presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent MOT, passed on 12 November 2025 at 163,715 miles, shows a vehicle that remains roadworthy but carries unresolved corrosion concerns. The tester flagged front brake pads wearing thin, front brake discs worn and pitted, and brake pipe corrosion across the rear axle and nearside rear to the flexi-hose. These were advisories only, yet they echo a recurring pattern. In November 2024, both rear brake pipes were flagged for corrosion, and in November 2023, all four brake pipes were noted as corroded and unprotected. Brake pipe corrosion appearing consistently across three consecutive annual tests suggests a long-standing environmental exposure issue rather than a one-off event. The trend is not worsening in a dramatic sense, but it is not resolving either. The vehicle passed each time, meaning the braking system has not yet reached the point of dangerous failure, yet the persistence of this advisory demands attention. The mileage accumulation tells a clear story. Between the November 2023 test at 136,357 miles and the November 2024 test at 149,114 miles, the vehicle covered roughly 12,757 miles in twelve months. That jumped to 14,601 miles between November 2024 and November 2025, reaching 163,715 miles. This is a high annual rate for a twelve-year-old pickup, consistent with sustained commercial or heavy-duty use. The MOT record itself is clean in terms of frequency, with annual tests filed each November, but the gap between the failed and passed entries on 12 November 2025, just one mile apart, indicates the owner addressed the rear fog lamp and switch immediately before retesting. That is a positive sign of responsive maintenance, though it does not extend to the deeper corrosion issues. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the underside and braking system first. The repeated brake pipe corrosion advisories, spanning all four pipes by 2023 and persisting through 2025, point to a vehicle that has been exposed to road salt, standing water, or prolonged damp storage. Check whether the original steel pipes have been replaced with copper or braided alternatives, or whether the original corroded pipes remain in service. The front brake discs were pitted and worn at the last test, meaning replacement may be due imminently. Suspension also warrants close scrutiny. In November 2024, both rear leaf spring main leaves were fractured at 149,110 miles, a serious structural defect that was rectified before the pass. Inspect the replacement leaves for correct specification and check the spring bushes, shackles, and U-bolts for wear or distortion. Tyre wear on both front edges appeared in the 2024 tests, suggesting possible tracking or suspension geometry issues that may have recurred after the leaf spring repair. The rear fog lamp fault appearing in both the 2024 and 2025 failure entries is minor in isolation, likely a bulb or switch issue, but its recurrence hints at intermittent electrical faults or a temporary fix rather than a permanent repair. Beyond these specific items, examine the chassis rails, cross members, and body mounts for corrosion, particularly around the rear axle area where the brake pipes run. A vehicle used hard at this mileage will have consumed suspension bushes, shock absorbers, and drivetrain components well beyond the MOT's scope. The record confirms the L200 has been used, not pampered, and the buyer should budget for brake pipe renewal, front brake disc replacement, and a thorough underside inspection before committing.