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Mitsubishi L300 (1988)

365 real MOT outcomes analysed • 41.2% first-time pass rate

1988 Mitsubishi L300

CarHunch analysed 365 real MOT records for the 1988 Mitsubishi L300. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 38.8% below UK average
41.2%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
125,878
typical mileage
91,920–152,686 middle half
6.6%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.92
avg MOT failures per car
over 3.1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1988 Mitsubishi L300

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.
  • 📄 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 L300

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (84%) 306 38.5% 0.69
Diesel (16%) 59 55.2% 2.1

Mileage Distribution

Most 1988 Mitsubishi L300 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.

91,920
low mileage
125,878
typical
152,686
high mileage

Half of all 1988 Mitsubishi L300 vehicles fall between 91,920 and 152,686 miles.

1988 Mitsubishi L300 — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2018, 85% of the peak.

13 11 2014 2018

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2018.

MOT History Averages

3.1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.92
Avg failures per vehicle
3.3
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1988 Mitsubishi L300

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 22%
    Oil leak
  • 14.6%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 13.9%
    Nearside Rear Leaf spring has a slightly deteriorated shackle pin rubber bush not resulting in excessive movement
  • 13.6%
    Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 13.6%
    Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A'
  • 13.2%
    Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 12.5%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 12.5%
    Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1988. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Mitsubishi L300?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Mitsubishi L300:

1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001