Mitsubishi Lancer (1992)
1992 Mitsubishi Lancer
CarHunch analysed 552 real MOT records for the 1992 Mitsubishi Lancer. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1992 Mitsubishi Lancer has a first-time MOT pass rate of 70.4%, which is 9.6 points below the UK average of 80%—a meaningful gap that reflects its age and condition. The dangerous defect rate of 8% is reasonably low, so catastrophic failures are not widespread, but nearly 3 in 10 vehicles will fail their MOT on the first attempt.
At 94,444 miles median mileage, these Lancers show typical wear for their age, and the 1.63 average failures per vehicle suggest common, predictable issues rather than expensive surprises. Prospective buyers should expect to budget for around 4.6 advisories per test—minor fixes and upcoming maintenance—and should always request a pre-purchase inspection, as one in 12 of these cars will have experienced a dangerous defect at some point.
What to check before buying a 1992 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.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 551 | 70.3% | 1.63 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1992 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 1992 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles fall between 73,526 and 116,637 miles.
1992 Mitsubishi Lancer — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 (28% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2024.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1992 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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23.6%
Oil leak
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22.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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21.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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14.8%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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13.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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13.4%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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13.1%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive
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12%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1992. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mitsubishi Lancer?
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