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

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 Chariot?

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 Chariot?

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.

Is the 1998 Mitsubishi Chariot reliable?

Based on MOT data from 116 vehicles, the 1998 Mitsubishi Chariot has a first-time MOT pass rate of 67.8%, 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 Chariot?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1998 Mitsubishi Chariot are: Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (78.4% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (58.3% of vehicles), Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (55.8% 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 Chariot?

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 Chariot (1998)

116 real MOT outcomes analysed • 67.8% first-time pass rate

1998 Mitsubishi Chariot

CarHunch analysed 116 real MOT records for the 1998 Mitsubishi Chariot. 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 Chariot is a struggling performer, with a first-time pass rate of just 67.8%—well below the UK average of 80%—and nearly one in five have encountered a dangerous defect at some point. This is a vehicle that demands serious pre-purchase inspection and won't be a low-maintenance ownership prospect.

At around 110,000 miles these are well-used examples, yet they still average 3 failures per test and nearly 10 advisories, suggesting systemic wear rather than isolated problems. If you're considering one, budget for immediate remedial work and get a thorough independent inspection focusing on brakes, suspension, and emissions systems before committing.

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

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 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

67.8%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

18.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.03

Over 9.1 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

108k

Middle half: 78k–136k

For context

These stats describe 116 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 116 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Exhaust & emissions 78.4%

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive · Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits · Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive · …

Tyre wear 58.3%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front 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.

Other issues 48.7%

Oil leak

Brake wear 28.1%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin

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

Lighting 21.6%

Offside Rear fog lamp not working

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

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 116 Mitsubishi Chariot cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Mitsubishi Chariot

Based on MOT data from 116 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 18.1% 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
Petrol (97%)	113	68.1%	3.04

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Mitsubishi Chariot 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.

107,558

typical

78,206

low mileage

135,842

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Mitsubishi Chariot vehicles fall between 78,206 and 135,842 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 78,206 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.

✓ 78,206–135,842 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Mitsubishi Chariots sit.

⚠ Over 183,386 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 Chariot — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 33% of 1998 Mitsubishi Chariots are still active.

Numbers are declining — 13 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2017 (33% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2017.

MOT History Averages

9.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.03

Avg failures per vehicle

9.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Buyer beware — pass it on