How much does a 1996 MITSUBISHI L300 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,047 (£171/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1996 MITSUBISHI L300?

The 1996 MITSUBISHI L300 has a 82% MOT pass rate based on 45 tests in 2026. This ranks 73 out of 252 cars from 1996.

MITSUBISHI L300 (1996)

Q: Is the 1996 MITSUBISHI L300 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 82% of MITSUBISHI L300s from 1996 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 45 tests. That's 0 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1996 MITSUBISHI L300?

The average mileage for a 1996 MITSUBISHI L300 is 142,024 miles, which is below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 45 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,047

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

82%

Good

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1997cc Petrol

Solid Option

82% pass rate, £2047/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1997cc30 years old45 tests142k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1997cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1997cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,047

Per month£171/mo

Per week£39/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

82% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 30 years old, 82% of MITSUBISHI L300s from 1996 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 45 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 142,024 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 cars73th of 252(top 29%)

Rank among MITSUBISHI models178th of 408(top 44%)

vs national average+0%(82% avg)

vs 1996 cars average+7%(75% avg)

vs MITSUBISHI average+2%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

142,024

Average miles

222,000

Expected for age

The average 1996 MITSUBISHI L300 has 142,024 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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MITSUBISHI L300 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2000	91%	32	116,011 mi
1997	91%	44	135,327 mi
1996	82%	45	142,024 mi
1995	94%	34	112,657 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1996 · 2490cc Petrol

£2,597/year

67%

-15%

MAZDA MX-5

1998 · 1597cc Petrol

£1,827/year

75%

-7%

BMW 3 SERIES

1998 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,017/year

79%

-3%

BMW Z3

1997 · 1900cc Petrol

£2,017/year

75%

-7%

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About the 1996 MITSUBISHI L300

The 1996 MITSUBISHI L300 is a family car with a 1997cc petrol engine. 45 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1996, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 142,024 miles at 30 years old, MITSUBISHI L300 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1996 MITSUBISHI L300 Fuel Costs

The 1997cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1996 MITSUBISHI L300?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,047 (£171/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 82% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 1996 MITSUBISHI L300

At 30 years old, the MITSUBISHI L300 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. Note: with only 45 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1996 MITSUBISHI L300's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 30 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 142k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1996 MITSUBISHI L300 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MITSUBISHI L300(1996)	82%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2047
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)	67%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2597+£550
MAZDA MX-5(1998)	75%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£220
BMW 3 SERIES(1998)	79%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£30
BMW Z3(1997)	75%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£30

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.