Used car guide

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Mitsubishi Lancers, from 1,260 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,260MOT tests in 2025
64%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
5,400typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Mitsubishi Lancers than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Track rod ends2.5× usual
    Mitsubishi Lancer
    13.5% All 2008 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.4%, against 2.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints5.6× usual
    Mitsubishi Lancer
    5.6% All 2008 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes5.1× usual
    Mitsubishi Lancer
    5.1% All 2008 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Rear fog light2.8× usual
    Mitsubishi Lancer
    2.8% All 2008 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.9% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 6% here, against 12.5% of all 2008 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 2.5% here, against 7.2% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    48% 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.

  • Brakes
    33% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    30% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    24% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    12% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Mitsubishi Lancer?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20111,050Suspension 51%
20101,395Suspension 54%
2009962Suspension 51%
2007741Suspension 46%
2006839Suspension 43%
2005892Suspension 37%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Mitsubishi Lancers registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score