Mitsubishi Lancer (1988)
1988 Mitsubishi Lancer
CarHunch analysed 155 real MOT records for the 1988 Mitsubishi Lancer. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
What to check before buying a 1988 Mitsubishi Lancer
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 Lancer
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 (99%) | 154 | 66.2% | 1.47 |
| Diesel (1%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1988 Mitsubishi Lancer 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 1988 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles fall between 77,004 and 125,484 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1988 Mitsubishi Lancer
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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23.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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21.7%
Oil leak
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17.7%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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12.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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12.4%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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11.6%
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play
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11.2%
Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play
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10%
Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1988. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mitsubishi Lancer?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.