2003 Mitsubishi Shogun 2.5L Diesel · NC53 AFO

The most recent MOT, carried out on 6 September 2023, resulted in a failure, with a dangerous defect for an exposed ply on the off‑side rear tyre and four major defects relating to the off‑side front and rear suspension ball‑joint dust covers and a fractured near‑side rear coil spring. This follows a clean pass in August 2022, indicating that the vehicle’s condition has deteriorated rather than improved since the last successful inspection and that significant maintenance has been deferred or overlooked. At 150,946 miles on a 23‑year‑old 2003 Mitsubishi Shogun the average annual mileage works out to roughly 6,500 mi, which is within the normal range for a vehicle of this age. The mileage figure does not suggest any period of unusually high use that would accelerate wear beyond what is typical for its age, but it does imply that many wear items – tyres, suspension bushings, brakes and drivetrain components – have been subjected to a substantial amount of service life and will be approaching the end of their design life. A prospective buyer should treat the suspension and tyre defects as a priority. The fractured rear coil spring will have compromised rear ride height and may have placed additional stress on the rear axle housing, bushings and mounting points; a thorough visual inspection of the rear sub‑frame, rear shock absorbers and any signs of corrosion or cracking is essential. The ball‑joint dust‑cover failures mean that dirt and moisture can infiltrate the joint, leading to premature wear, play and potential steering knock; the joints themselves should be checked for excessive movement, uneven wear or noisy operation when the steering wheel is turned at low speed. The exposed tyre ply is a safety‑critical issue – the tyre must be replaced immediately and the remaining tyres inspected for age‑related cracking, sidewall perishing or uneven wear that could indicate alignment problems stemming from the suspension faults. During a test drive the buyer should listen for clunking or thudding from the rear when encountering bumps, feel for any looseness in the steering, and watch for the vehicle pulling to one side, which would suggest that the suspension geometry has been altered by the broken spring. Beyond the specific MOT failures, the age of the vehicle warrants a comprehensive age‑related check. Verify the condition of the 12 V battery, as a 23‑year‑old unit is likely past its useful life and may struggle in cold weather. Inspect all tyre sidewalls for dry‑rot, especially if the car has spent long periods stationary, and confirm that the tyre tread depth on the remaining tyres meets the legal minimum. Examine the brake discs for surface rust, scoring or glazing, and test the pedal for any sponginess that could indicate fluid degradation or seized calipers. Finally, ensure that the engine oil, coolant and brake fluid have been changed within the recommended intervals, as time‑based fluid breakdown can occur even with modest mileage, and request a full service history to corroborate that regular maintenance has been performed.