2006 Mitsubishi L200 2.5L Diesel · ST04 KAT

The recorded MOT history is straightforward, showing six consecutive years of clean tests with the most recent pass on 2026-03-18 and no advisories recorded across the 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020 and 2019 examinations. The only flagged items appear on the 2021 pass, where both the near and offside front upper suspension arm ball joint dust covers were noted as severely deteriorated. No further suspension, brake, structural, exhaust or corrosion issues have been recorded since, and the absence of advisories over the most recent five tests is notable for a vehicle of this age and mileage. That said, MOT records only confirm the items examined on the day; a clean certificate does not eliminate the possibility of developing wear between annual tests, particularly on a working-type vehicle of this vintage. Against a twenty-year lifespan, 161,509 miles equates to roughly 8,075 miles annually, which sits broadly in line with typical use of a working L200 of this generation. There are no extended absences from the MOT register and no missing annual tests in the supplied record, indicating the vehicle has been in continuous use and presented for examination throughout its post-2019 history. The mileage progression between tests is consistent and steady rather than showing sudden jumps or long static periods, suggesting regular driving rather than intermittent use. For a pick-up of this type, this kind of annual mileage is consistent with a mix of light commercial and private use, and the cumulative distance is high enough that consumable wear on clutches, driveline components and suspension should be anticipated regardless of the clean test history. Given the 2021 advisory on the upper suspension arm ball joint dust covers, particular attention should be paid to the front suspension during a physical inspection. Split or missing dust covers accelerate ball joint wear by allowing water and grit ingress, so the actual joints on both sides should be examined for play by rocking the wheel at twelve and three o'clock and by listening for clonks over speed humps or uneven surfaces. Worn upper arms will typically present as knocking from the front end, imprecise steering, or uneven tyre wear across the front axle. Given the overall mileage, it is also worth checking the condition of the rear leaf spring bushes, shock absorbers and springs for sagging, as these commonly wear on high-mileage L200s even when not flagged at MOT. The braking system has not been flagged in any test, but the high overall distance means the discs and pads should be inspected for wear, lipping on the disc edges and any pulling under braking that could point to a binding caliper. A test drive should include firm stops from around 40 mph to confirm straight-line stability and to feel for pedal sponginess that might indicate air or moisture in the system. Underneath, the chassis rails, rear crossmember, suspension mounting points and brake pipe runs should be examined for surface corrosion, particularly around the arches and jacking points, as corrosion-related advisories become more common on L200s once they pass the fifteen-year mark. Finally, with this mileage it is sensible to check for any signs of gearbox or transfer box oil leaks, propshaft play, and clutch slip under load, all of which fall outside standard MOT scope but are relevant to a working pick-up of this age and distance.