2004 Mitsubishi Shogun Sport 2.5L Diesel · DN53 WHR

The 2004 Mitsubishi Shogun Sport presents a mixed mechanical picture marked by intermittent reliability concerns rather than consistent degradation. The most recent MOT on 2025-06-17 returned a passing result, but this does not erase a pattern of recurring advisories spanning nearly a decade, beginning with a serious 2022-01-25 failure involving an imminently failing front brake pipe and binding front service brakes. Between that incident and the 2025 pass, three additional passes were recorded in 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021, each accompanied by minor issues such as oil leaks, wheel bearing play, and suspension arm ball joint looseness. The current status therefore reads as unstable—passes have been earned through luck and timely servicing rather than sustained mechanical health, with the last twelve months showing a return to compliance after a period of accumulated warnings. The vehicle's mileage of 137,500 miles across approximately 22 years translates to roughly 6,250 miles per annum, which aligns with expected depreciation patterns for its age and would suggest moderate daily use or some periods of idling. The gap between the 2024-03-05 and 2025-06-17 tests spans just over a year, indicating the owner has been maintaining regular MOT intervals despite the underlying problem set. Notably, there is no dramatic acceleration in mileage between recorded tests, yet the presence of multiple oil leaks across different years (2020, 2019, 2023, 2024) combined with persistent wheel bearing play and steering linkage looseness implies that certain consumables and joints have degraded faster than the odometer would predict. If the car spent extended periods standing during the intervening years, rust and seal deterioration may have accelerated these failures, though the absence of subframe corrosion on the records makes this inference tentative. Buyers should prioritize a thorough visual and tactile inspection of the front brake pipe for any remaining corrosion or grease buildup, as the 2023 finding of severe corrosion still warrants caution even after repair. The nearside front steering linkage ball joint shows slight play, which may manifest as loose steering feedback or increased play when turning at speed; a test drive should monitor steering response for any wobble or unevenness. Both the nearside and offside lower suspension arm ball joints reported play in 2024 indicate potential for chassis movement or handling irregularities over bumps—listen for clunking or vibrating motions during cornering. Additionally, given the history of oil leaks on the front and rear sides, inspecting the engine bay, transmission area, and undercarriage for fresh fluid residue is essential before committing. The front wheel bearings have shown consistent slight play across multiple tests, so a quick spin check while the car is stationary will confirm whether this remains active. Finally, verify that the rear brake pipe was properly refurbished after the 2023 replacement, as premature failure here would repeat the dangerous failure mode seen in early 2022.