Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1989 Mitsubishi Lancer Glx?

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 1989 Mitsubishi Lancer Glx?

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 1989 Mitsubishi Lancer Glx?

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 1989 Mitsubishi Lancer Glx?

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 Lancer Glx (1989)

706 real MOT outcomes analysed

1989 Mitsubishi Lancer Glx

CarHunch has 706 1989 Mitsubishi Lancer Glx vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

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No MOT data available for this vehicle type

The 1989 Mitsubishi Lancer Glx 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 Lancer Glx 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 1989 Mitsubishi Lancer GLX falls outside the DVLA light-vehicle MOT database—likely because very few remain registered or on the road today—so we cannot provide pass rates, failure patterns, or defect statistics for this cohort. What we do know is that the original Lancer of this era was a compact, economical saloon popular in the UK for everyday driving and as a first car, known for basic but adequate reliability if properly maintained. At 35 years old, any surviving example is now a classic or enthusiast vehicle rather than everyday transport, and its roadworthiness depends almost entirely on the individual owner's maintenance history rather than cohort averages. If you're considering one, have a trusted mechanic conduct a thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on rust (especially common in cars of this age), engine gasket condition, and brake and fuel system integrity, as parts support and specialist knowledge for 1980s Lancers is now limited.

MOT statistics not available

We have 706 1989 Mitsubishi Lancer Glx 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 1989 Mitsubishi Lancer Glx

Based on MOT data from 706 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 4,782 Mitsubishi Lancer Glx vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 24.2%

1,155

Red 20%

956

Silver 19.1%

911

White 16%

767

Grey 8.3%

396

Gold 5.2%

247

Green 2.8%

133

Brown 2.3%

110

Pink 0.9%

Beige 0.6%

Maroon 0.5%

Bronze 0.2%

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

1985 1986 1987 1988 1990 1991 1992

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Compare with another model

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