Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2008 Mitsubishi I?

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 2008 Mitsubishi I?

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 2008 Mitsubishi I?

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 2008 Mitsubishi I vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

33% 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 2008 Mitsubishi I reliable?

Based on MOT data from 260 vehicles, the 2008 Mitsubishi I has a first-time MOT pass rate of 82.7%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2008 Mitsubishi I?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2008 Mitsubishi I are: Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (45.5% of vehicles), Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (42% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (38.7% 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 2008 Mitsubishi I?

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 I (2008)

260 real MOT outcomes analysed • 82.7% first-time pass rate

2008 Mitsubishi I

CarHunch analysed 260 real MOT records for the 2008 Mitsubishi I. 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 Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2008 Mitsubishi i actually passes its MOT slightly above the UK average at 82.7%, but the troubling detail is that nearly a third of these cars (32.7%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a genuine buyer concern worth investigating on any specific example you're considering. Petrol and diesel breakdowns aren't relevant here since the i was petrol-only in this generation.

At just over 33,000 miles median, these cars are relatively low-mileage for their age, yet they're averaging 2.67 failures and 15.3 advisories per test—suggesting wear and minor issues accumulate even at modest annual mileage. The median CarHunch score of 50 reflects a middling reliability picture: not a bargain basement buy, but not a confident choice either. Before purchasing, have any candidate inspected for brake and suspension condition, as these typically drive the failure rates in this model.

We have limited data for the 2008 Mitsubishi I — 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

82.7%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

32.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.67

Over 14.2 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

34k

Middle half: 23k–48k

For context

These stats describe 260 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 260 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 45.5%

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

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

Other issues 42%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Nearside Rear Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated · Oil leak, but not excessive

Tyre wear 38.7%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

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

Suspension & steering 21.3%

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt

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

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 260 Mitsubishi I cars.

Before you buy a 2008 Mitsubishi I

Based on MOT data from 260 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 32.7% 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 815 Mitsubishi I vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 30.8%

251

Black 20.1%

164

White 14.1%

115

Grey 11.7%

Blue 10.4%

Red 8.6%

Yellow 3.7%

Green 0.6%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 Mitsubishi I 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.

33,911

typical

22,769

low mileage

48,175

high mileage

Half of all 2008 Mitsubishi I vehicles fall between 22,769 and 48,175 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 22,769 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.

✓ 22,769–48,175 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 Mitsubishi Is sit.

⚠ Over 65,036 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2008 Mitsubishi I — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 45% of 2008 Mitsubishi Is are still active.

Numbers are declining — 109 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (45% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* 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

14.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.67

Avg failures per vehicle

15.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2007 2011 2012

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See how the 2008 Mitsubishi I stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing