Used car guide

2008 Mitsubishi I: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Mitsubishi I first registered in 2008: we looked at the 397 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 397 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

397MOTs of 2008 cars, done in 2023–2025
70%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
2,800typical miles a year
4.4×the usual rate for track rod ends

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Mitsubishi I?

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

  • Track rod ends4.4× usual
    Mitsubishi I
    22.4% All 2008 cars
    5.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2.4% 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.1× usual
    Mitsubishi I
    9.1% All 2008 cars
    4.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 1.8% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 5% here, against 10.7% of all 2008 cars.

Common 2008 Mitsubishi I MOT failures and advisories

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

  • Suspension
    40% 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.

  • Tyres
    29% 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.

  • Brakes
    29% 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
    24% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    7% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Mitsubishi I

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 4.4× as often on the 2008 Mitsubishi I as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2008 Mitsubishi I as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mitsubishi I?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Mitsubishi I compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2012181Suspension 43%
2011237Suspension 38%
2007362Suspension 38%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Mitsubishi I cars first registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score