Mitsubishi L300 (1983)
1983 Mitsubishi L300
CarHunch analysed 113 real MOT records for the 1983 Mitsubishi L300. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1983 Mitsubishi L300 is a genuinely challenging proposition: only 16% pass their MOT first time against an 80% UK average, with petrol variants faring even worse at 14.6%. The good news is that dangerous defects are rare at 3.5%, so what you're seeing isn't cars falling apart catastrophically—it's accumulated wear and tear over four decades.
These vehicles are running at a reasonable 55,639 miles median (low for age, suggesting lighter use or multiple owners), but they're averaging 0.66 failures per test, meaning most have multiple issues that need fixing before they pass. Before viewing one, get a pre-purchase inspection done by a mechanic familiar with Japanese vans of this era, because you'll need to budget for remedial work rather than expect a quick MOT tick.
What to check before buying a 1983 Mitsubishi L300
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Mitsubishi L300
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (96%) | 109 | 14.6% | 0.59 |
| Diesel (4%) | 4 | 51.7% | 2.75 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1983 Mitsubishi L300 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1983 Mitsubishi L300 vehicles fall between 31,488 and 86,285 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1983 Mitsubishi L300
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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32.6%
Nearside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
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28.4%
Nearside Rear Leaf spring has a slightly deteriorated shackle pin rubber bush not resulting in excessive movement
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26.3%
Offside Rear Leaf spring has a slightly deteriorated shackle pin rubber bush not resulting in excessive movement
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24.2%
Offside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
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22.1%
Oil leak
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22.1%
Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel
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22.1%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
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21.1%
Offside Rear fog lamp not working
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1983. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mitsubishi L300?
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