Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2008 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 2008 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 2008 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.

How many 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

38% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?

Based on MOT data from 3,082 vehicles, the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer has a first-time MOT pass rate of 78.6%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer are: Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (45.8% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (44.3% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (43% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2008 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.

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Mitsubishi Lancer (2008)

3,082 real MOT outcomes analysed • 78.6% first-time pass rate

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer

CarHunch analysed 3,082 real MOT records for the 2008 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? →

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

The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer's 78.6% first-time pass rate sits just below the UK average of 80%, but the real concern is that 37.8% of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects at some point—well above acceptable levels for a buyer shopping secondhand. Petrol versions perform noticeably better at 79.2% pass rate versus diesel's 74.4%, suggesting you should prioritise petrol if reliability matters to you.

At a median mileage of 57,094 miles for a 16-year-old car, these Lancers are running below their expected wear level, which is encouraging. However, the average 3.28 failures and 19.5 advisories per test reveal persistent issues with brake wear, suspension components, and general corrosion—classic signs of deferred maintenance rather than catastrophic design flaws. Before committing, have a trusted mechanic inspect the braking system, suspension geometry, and undercarriage on any specific car you're considering, since these vehicles need consistent upkeep to stay safe.

The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer has a decent first-time pass rate (78.6%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 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

78.6%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

37.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.28

Over 14 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

57k

Middle half: 41k–76k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 19.5 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 3,082 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 3,082 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 45.8%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · …

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

Tyre wear 44.3%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

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

Other issues 22.3%

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened · Oil leak, but not excessive · Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 3,082 Mitsubishi Lancer cars.

Before you buy a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer

Based on MOT data from 3,082 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 37.8% 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 (86%)	2,649	79.2%	3.12
Diesel (14%)	425	74.4%	4.23

Colour Breakdown

Based on 33,002 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 27.6%

9,103

Black 16.1%

5,311

Blue 15.2%

5,009

Grey 13.5%

4,460

White 12.8%

4,230

Red 11.6%

3,834

Yellow 1.4%

450

Green 1%

320

Purple 0.3%

105

Brown 0.3%

100

Orange 0.2%

Gold 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 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.

57,094

typical

40,570

low mileage

76,355

high mileage

Half of all 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles fall between 40,570 and 76,355 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 40,570 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.

✓ 40,570–76,355 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 Mitsubishi Lancers sit.

⚠ Over 103,079 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 43% of 2008 Mitsubishi Lancers are still active.

Numbers are declining — 1,153 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (43% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.28

Avg failures per vehicle

19.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Compare with another model

See how the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing