1998 Mitsubishi Lancer: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 1998 Mitsubishi Lancers, from 130 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: only 130 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What gets flagged at MOT
The share of 1998 Mitsubishi Lancer MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension13% of testsRough price £120–£400
At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
- Exhaust and emissions11% of testsRough price £100–£1,200
At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.
- Tyres11% of testsRough price £70–£150
At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
- Lights and electrics10% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Brakes9% of testsRough price £150–£350
At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors4% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1,050 | Suspension 51% |
| 2010 | 1,395 | Suspension 54% |
| 2009 | 962 | Suspension 51% |
| 2008 | 1,260 | Suspension 48% |
| 2007 | 741 | Suspension 46% |
| 2006 | 839 | Suspension 43% |
| 2005 | 892 | Suspension 37% |
| 2004 | 356 | Suspension 12% |
| 2003 | 226 | Suspension 10% |
| 2001 | 143 | Lights and electrics 8% |
| 2000 | 118 | Brakes 14% |
| 1999 | 182 | Suspension 8% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1998 Mitsubishi Lancers registered in 1998. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score