2004 Mitsubishi L200 review from UK and Ireland

I bought the L200 as Mitsubishi Warriors had such a great reputation but at only 68000 miles I had to buy a replacement engine and due to a very common and extremely expensive engine fault that most 2003/2004 models have. The problem happened with almost no warning; driving at 60 mph, a tapping noise developed from the engine area into a clanking sound as I slowed down becoming an awful, loud metallic clunking sound. The bottom end of the engine had disintegrated, crankshaft gone etc. The repair bill-£3500 for a reconditioned engine.

The 4 wheel drive warning light permanently blinks green which drives you mad. I have been told this is another common fault with the L200.

Two months after the engine replacement it needed a new clutch plate.

If towing or when load is put on the car for example if accelerating hard the engine warning light comes on and a loss of power forces you to stop, wait until a 'click' is heard then its OK to restart the engine as the warning light goes out.

At the moment the car will not start. The battery is fully charged but the engine slowly turns over as if the battery is low then will not turn over at all but the next turn of the key it will start first time as normal and this happens time and time again.

I have been told that the excessive clattering noise from beneath the bonnet is not the engine, not because 'diesels are noisy' but that the thrust bearings are on their way out. The car has only done 70,000 miles!

Great looking car! Really turns heads and everyone notices it especially when driving past on the back of a RAC recovery truck.

A comfortable ride in the front but dead flat seat suspension, poor leg room and visibility in the back.

Fuel consumption is about 26 miles per gallon if driven carefully, with no load and with the wind behind it. Claims of 35 mpg should be ignored.

Not bad road handling even on wet roads but slow to accelerate but then it's a pick up and not a car so should be expected.

Agree that the fog light switches are in a stupid place and should be where you can see them. Heater very good.

I have driven other 4x4's and have been driving for 33 years and have never had such terrible mechanical problems with any of my cars. The Mitsubishi Warrior L200 03/04 model should be avoided at all costs. Can't sell mine now and will run it into the ground rather than pay for more really expensive repairs. I cannot understand how Mitsubishi can manufacture the new model in the full knowledge that the 03/04 engines fall apart and do not recognise this fault or make recompense to customers.

These engine replacements happen at about 50,000 miles. An identical L200 (54,000 miles) was on the ramps having a cylinder head repair when mine went in for a new engine then two weeks later I saw another on a breakdown truck and one more in a service station beltching out black smoke with the engine clattering same problem as mine and was just one month outside of warranty!