Mitsubishi Fto (1998)
1998 Mitsubishi Fto
CarHunch analysed 140 real MOT records for the 1998 Mitsubishi Fto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 Mitsubishi FTO is a significantly riskier proposition than the UK average: only 66.6% pass on the first attempt compared to the national 80%, and nearly 30% have recorded dangerous defects at some point—well above acceptable safety margins. This is a car that demands serious caution from any prospective buyer.
These survivors are averaging 96,500 miles, which is reasonable for a 26-year-old sports car, but the real problem lies in the pattern of failures: an average of 4.3 failures per MOT and nearly 19 advisories per vehicle show chronic mechanical wear across multiple systems. Before you even consider one, get a pre-purchase inspection from a Mitsubishi specialist and budget for imminent work on suspension, brakes, and cooling systems—this is not a bargain-buy daily driver.
What to check before buying a 1998 Mitsubishi Fto
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 29.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Mitsubishi Fto
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Mitsubishi Fto vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1998 Mitsubishi Fto vehicles fall between 70,874 and 119,038 miles.
1998 Mitsubishi Fto — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 20 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (28% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Mitsubishi Fto
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
105.7%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive
-
65.6%
Oil leak
-
63.5%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
-
55.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
50.8%
Service brake: efficiency below requirements
-
49.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
47.1%
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits
-
42.2%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mitsubishi Fto?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.