Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 Mitsubishi Space Runner?

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 1998 Mitsubishi Space Runner?

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 1998 Mitsubishi Space Runner?

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 1998 Mitsubishi Space Runner reliable?

Based on MOT data from 192 vehicles, the 1998 Mitsubishi Space Runner has a first-time MOT pass rate of 70.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1998 Mitsubishi Space Runner?

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 Space Runner (1998)

192 real MOT outcomes analysed • 70.5% first-time pass rate

1998 Mitsubishi Space Runner

CarHunch analysed 192 real MOT records for the 1998 Mitsubishi Space Runner. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 1998 Mitsubishi Space Runner has a first-time MOT pass rate of 70.5%, which is notably 9.5 percentage points below the UK average of 80%—a meaningful gap that reflects age-related wear. With 16.2% of these vehicles having recorded at least one dangerous defect during their MOT history, buyers should factor in the real risk of costly safety issues when evaluating one of these 27-year-old MPVs.

At nearly 88,000 miles median mileage for cars now in their late twenties, these Space Runners have been well-used but aren't exceptionally high-mileage. The average vehicle carries 3.17 failures and 9 advisories per test, indicating routine maintenance needs outpace what you'd expect from a newer car—so before buying, budget for suspension, exhaust, and brake work, and always commission a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with this generation.

We have limited data for the 1998 Mitsubishi Space Runner — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 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

70.5%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

16.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.17

Over 10.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

88k

Middle half: 63k–103k

For context

These stats describe 192 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.

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See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 192 Mitsubishi Space Runner cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Mitsubishi Space Runner

Based on MOT data from 192 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 16.2% 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 (98%)	189	70.4%	3.2

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Mitsubishi Space Runner 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.

87,723

typical

62,621

low mileage

102,620

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Mitsubishi Space Runner vehicles fall between 62,621 and 102,620 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 62,621 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.

✓ 62,621–102,620 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Mitsubishi Space Runners sit.

⚠ Over 138,537 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1998 Mitsubishi Space Runner — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 20% of 1998 Mitsubishi Space Runners are still active.

Numbers are declining — 12 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2019 (20% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2019.

MOT History Averages

10.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.17

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Buyer beware — pass it on