How much does a 1997 MITSUBISHI L300 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,895 (£158/month), including £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 MITSUBISHI L300?

The 1997 MITSUBISHI L300 has a 91% MOT pass rate based on 44 tests in 2026. This ranks 31 out of 320 cars from 1997.

MITSUBISHI L300 (1997)

Q: Is the 1997 MITSUBISHI L300 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 91% of MITSUBISHI L300s from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 44 tests. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 MITSUBISHI L300?

The average mileage for a 1997 MITSUBISHI L300 is 135,327 miles, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-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 44 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,895

£158/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2477cc Diesel

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £1895/year to run. 9 points above average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific MITSUBISHI L300

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Diesel2477cc29 years old44 tests135k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2477cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245

Road Tax

Based on 2477cc

£395

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,895

Per month£158/mo

Per week£36/wk

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

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this MITSUBISHI L300

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MITSUBISHI brand average of 80%.

At 29 years old, 91% of MITSUBISHI L300s from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 44 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 135,327 miles.

Got a MITSUBISHI L300 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars31th of 320(top 10%)

Rank among MITSUBISHI models86th of 408(top 21%)

vs national average+9%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average+16%(75% avg)

vs MITSUBISHI average+11%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

135,327

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 MITSUBISHI L300 has 135,327 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific MITSUBISHI L300?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

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

1999 · 2461cc Diesel

£2,050/year

70%

-21%

LAND ROVER DEFENDER

1997 · 2500cc Diesel

£2,050/year

76%

-15%

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

1999 · 2487cc Diesel

£2,050/year

75%

-16%

FORD TRANSIT

1998 · 2496cc Diesel

£2,050/year

72%

-19%

Check a Specific Mitsubishi L300

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 1997 MITSUBISHI L300

The 1997 MITSUBISHI L300 is a large car with a 2477cc diesel engine. 44 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 10% of all 1997 cars for reliability.

With an average of 135,327 miles at 29 years old, MITSUBISHI L300 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 MITSUBISHI L300 Fuel Costs

The 2477cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 1997 MITSUBISHI L300?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,895 (£158/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Buying a Used 1997 MITSUBISHI L300

At 29 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 44 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 MITSUBISHI L300's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

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 135k 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 1997 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(1997)	91%	£1245	£395	Grp 25-38	£1895
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1999)	70%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050+£155
LAND ROVER DEFENDER(1997)	76%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050+£155
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(1999)	75%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050+£155
FORD TRANSIT(1998)	72%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050+£155

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.