2008 Mitsubishi I — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Mitsubishi I passed 80.3% of its 858 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (26.2% fail rate), the 2008 I comes out 6.5pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.7% of tests against 5.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, rear fog lamp and position lamp — track rod end alone was recorded 45 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 25.0% versus 14.5%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 26.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 17.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 100 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.4% | 46 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.1% | 44 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.7% | 40 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.0% | 34 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.6% | 31 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 45 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 37 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 31 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 31 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 26 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 26 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 26.2% | 225 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.5% | 202 |
| 3 | Suspension | 19.6% | 168 |
| 4 | Steering | 18.5% | 159 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.1% | 121 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.9% | 76 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 235 | 14.5% |
| 30-60k | 331 | 18.4% |
| 60-90k | 245 | 25.3% |
| 90-120k | 44 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 203 | 17.2% |
| 2022 | 196 | 21.4% |
| 2023 | 178 | 21.3% |
| 2024 | 147 | 18.4% |
| 2025 | 134 | 20.2% |
What to check before buying a 2008 I
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Tyres (5.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2008 Mitsubishi Is pass their MOT?
80.3% of the 858 2008 Mitsubishi I MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Mitsubishi I?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.7% of tests, followed by suspension (5.4%).
Does the 2008 I get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.5% in the 0-30k band to 25.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 858 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.