Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1988 Mitsubishi Lancer?

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 1988 Mitsubishi Lancer?

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 1988 Mitsubishi Lancer?

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.

Is the 1988 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?

Based on MOT data from 155 vehicles, the 1988 Mitsubishi Lancer has a first-time MOT pass rate of 66.4%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1988 Mitsubishi Lancer?

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.

CarHunch

Get Started

Mitsubishi Lancer (1988)

Q: What are common problems with the 1988 Mitsubishi Lancer?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1988 Mitsubishi Lancer are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (23.3% of vehicles), Oil leak (21.7% of vehicles), Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (17.7% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

155 real MOT outcomes analysed • 66.4% first-time pass rate

1988 Mitsubishi Lancer

CarHunch analysed 155 real MOT records for the 1988 Mitsubishi Lancer. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Compare Models

We have limited data for the 1988 Mitsubishi Lancer — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ About 1 in 12 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

66.4%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

8.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.46

Over 4.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

99k

Middle half: 77k–125k

For context

These stats describe 155 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.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 155 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 23.3%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm · …

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

Other issues 21.7%

Oil leak · Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split · Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated

Suspension & steering 17.7%

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded · Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded · Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play · …

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

Brake wear 10%

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated · Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated

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

Exhaust & emissions 8.4%

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases

Seat belts 7.6%

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded

Wipers & washers 7.2%

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1988.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 155 Mitsubishi Lancer cars.

Before you buy a 1988 Mitsubishi Lancer

Based on MOT data from 155 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 8.4% 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	154	66.2%	1.47

Mileage Distribution

Most 1988 Mitsubishi Lancer 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.

98,668

typical

77,004

low mileage

125,484

high mileage

Half of all 1988 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles fall between 77,004 and 125,484 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 77,004 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.

✓ 77,004–125,484 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1988 Mitsubishi Lancers sit.

⚠ Over 169,403 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

4.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.46

Avg failures per vehicle

5.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Or browse all models: Mitsubishi →

Compare with another model

See how the 1988 Mitsubishi Lancer stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on