Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1987 Mitsubishi Galant Gl?

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 1987 Mitsubishi Galant Gl?

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 1987 Mitsubishi Galant Gl?

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.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1987 Mitsubishi Galant Gl?

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 Galant Gl (1987)

319 real MOT outcomes analysed

1987 Mitsubishi Galant Gl

CarHunch has 319 1987 Mitsubishi Galant Gl vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

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Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 319 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

No MOT data available for this vehicle type

The 1987 Mitsubishi Galant Gl doesn't appear in DVLA light-vehicle MOT records — it may be exempt, registered as a different vehicle class, or an import not subject to UK MOT testing. We don't have reliability stats for this specific model, but you can browse other Mitsubishi vehicles below.

Browse all Mitsubishi models →

No MOT data — worth knowing

Got a specific Mitsubishi Galant Gl you're checking out?

The real detail is in the individual vehicle report — MOT history, AI Hunches, mileage timeline, and defect patterns for that specific reg.

The 1987 Mitsubishi Galant GL falls outside the DVLA's light-vehicle MOT database, so we have no pass rates, failure patterns, or defect statistics to report—this cohort simply isn't represented in the test records we analyse. What we do know is that this is a 37-year-old saloon from the 1980s, and any surviving example today is either a cherished classic or a working hack kept on the road by an enthusiast; either way, MOT compliance at this age depends entirely on the individual vehicle's maintenance history and condition. If you're considering one, skip the statistics and focus on a full pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with 1980s Japanese saloons, a complete service history, and evidence of regular use or proper storage. Expect running costs and parts availability to be the real challenge—not whether it will pass its MOT.

MOT statistics not available

We have 319 1987 Mitsubishi Galant Gl vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

There are a few reasons this can happen:

Heavy commercial vehicle — trucks, buses and coaches over 3.5 tonnes are tested under the DVSA annual HGV/PSV regime, which uses a separate database not included in our data source
Imported vehicles — vehicles registered abroad and recently brought to the UK may have no UK MOT history yet
MOT-exempt — vehicles manufactured before 1986 qualify under the 40-year rolling exemption; some specialist and agricultural vehicles are also exempt
Never used on public roads — some vehicles are registered but kept off-road and have never required an MOT

Check on the official DVSA service →

Before you buy a 1987 Mitsubishi Galant Gl

Based on MOT data from 319 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% 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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,162 Mitsubishi Galant Gl vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 20.5%

238

Blue 17.3%

201

Red 13.9%

162

White 11.6%

135

Green 9.9%

115

Beige 8.4%

Grey 6.9%

Brown 5.2%

Maroon 2.8%

Gold 2.6%

Black 0.4%

Bronze 0.4%

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

1985 1986 1988

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Compare with another model

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