Used car guide

1998 Mitsubishi Shogun: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1998 Mitsubishi Shoguns, from 311 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 311 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

311MOT tests in 2025
64%pass first time (all 1998 cars: 66%)
4,700typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1998 Mitsubishi Shoguns than on all cars registered in 1998.

  • Engine oil leaks1.8× usual
    Mitsubishi Shogun
    30.9% All 1998 cars
    16.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.4% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Rigid brake pipes1.9× usual
    Mitsubishi Shogun
    27.7% All 1998 cars
    14.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 2% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Chassis rust or damage2.9× usual
    Mitsubishi Shogun
    17% All 1998 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Brake pads2.2× usual
    Mitsubishi Shogun
    9.6% All 1998 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.9% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

By area

The share of 1998 Mitsubishi Shogun MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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
    43% 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
    33% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    33% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Rust and bodywork
    27% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Tyres
    17% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20211,213Brakes 24%
2020679Brakes 28%
2019732Brakes 29%
20181,139Brakes 28%
20171,153Brakes 31%
20161,536Brakes 31%
20151,835Brakes 29%
20141,540Brakes 32%
2013904Suspension 35%
2012659Brakes 37%
20111,059Suspension 40%
2010998Suspension 44%
2009568Suspension 53%
2008843Suspension 49%
20071,867Suspension 55%
20062,293Suspension 51%
20052,864Suspension 52%
20042,593Suspension 51%
20031,360Suspension 51%
2002782Suspension 52%
2001439Suspension 55%
2000262Suspension 42%
1999235Brakes 45%
1997219Brakes 42%
1996180Brakes 44%
1995131Suspension 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1998 Mitsubishi Shoguns registered in 1998. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score