Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 Mitsubishi Challenger?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1998 Mitsubishi Challenger?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1998 Mitsubishi Challenger?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 1998 Mitsubishi Challenger vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

23% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 1998 Mitsubishi Challenger reliable?

Based on MOT data from 123 vehicles, the 1998 Mitsubishi Challenger has a first-time MOT pass rate of 69.4%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1998 Mitsubishi Challenger?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1998 Mitsubishi Challenger are: Oil leak (74% of vehicles), Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (71.5% of vehicles), Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (69.3% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1998 Mitsubishi Challenger?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mitsubishi Challenger (1998)

123 real MOT outcomes analysed • 69.4% first-time pass rate

1998 Mitsubishi Challenger

CarHunch analysed 123 real MOT records for the 1998 Mitsubishi Challenger. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 1998 Mitsubishi Challenger passes its MOT first time in just 69.3% of cases, well below the UK average of 80%, and nearly a quarter of these vehicles (22.8%) have recorded dangerous defects—a significant concern for any buyer considering this model. This is a vehicle that demands serious mechanical scrutiny before purchase.

At 114,800 miles average, these Challengers show typical mileage for their age, but they're averaging nearly 4 failures per test and 22.6 advisories, which speaks to widespread wear and corrosion issues rather than isolated problems. Have a trusted mechanic inspect any example thoroughly, and budget for repairs before putting it through its next test.

We have limited data for the 1998 Mitsubishi Challenger — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

69.4%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

22.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.89

Over 11.7 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

117k

Middle half: 99k–135k

For context

These stats describe 123 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 123 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 74%

Oil leak

Suspension & steering 71.5%

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play · Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play · Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Brake wear 47.5%

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Tyre wear 42.6%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 123 Mitsubishi Challenger cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Mitsubishi Challenger

Based on MOT data from 123 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 22.8% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (64%)	79	69.2%	3.99

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Mitsubishi Challenger vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

116,536

typical

98,961

low mileage

134,637

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Mitsubishi Challenger vehicles fall between 98,961 and 134,637 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 98,961 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 98,961–134,637 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Mitsubishi Challengers sit.

⚠ Over 181,759 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1998 Mitsubishi Challenger — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 19% of 1998 Mitsubishi Challengers are still active.

Numbers are declining — 11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (19% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2022.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

11.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.89

Avg failures per vehicle

22.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mitsubishi Challenger: All Challenger years → Which year to buy? →

1996 1997 1999 2000

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Buyer beware — pass it on