1987 Mitsubishi Shogun 2.6L Petrol · E692 EAY

A significant period of undocumented history and a single recorded failure in late 2005 define the available mechanical record for this vehicle. The only failure noted occurred on 15 December 2005, involving multiple steering and suspension components, including excessive play in both the nearside and offside front upper drag link end ball joints and excessive wear in an offside rear leaf spring shackle pin or bush. This was accompanied by an exhaust emissions failure due to excessive carbon monoxide. The vehicle subsequently passed its test on 16 December 2005, but the lack of any recorded MOT data between 2005 and the present day represents a substantial gap in verifiable roadworthiness documentation. The recorded mileage of 148,891 miles for a 1987 model equates to an average annual accumulation of approximately 3,818 miles. While this is a low annual mileage for a vehicle of this age, the extensive gap in official testing records makes it impossible to determine if this low mileage is the result of light, regular use or if the vehicle has spent significant periods stationary. Long-term periods of inactivity can lead to the degradation of rubber components, such as the suspension bushes and ball joints previously flagged, as well as the potential for seized brake calipers or perished fuel lines, which are not captured in the sparse available data. Prospective buyers should focus heavily on the steering and suspension geometry given the previous failures of the drag link end ball joints and leaf spring shackles. During a test drive, pay close attention to the steering response for any vagueness or wandering, and listen for clunks or knocks when navigating uneven surfaces or turning the wheel at low speeds, which could indicate worn ball joints or bushes. The previous failure of the rear leaf spring shackle suggests that the rear suspension mounting points should be inspected for excessive movement or play that could affect vehicle stability under load. The historical failure regarding excessive carbon monoxide emissions necessitates a thorough check of the engine's combustion efficiency. On the test drive, listen for irregular idling, hesitation under acceleration, or any unusual smoke from the exhaust, which may indicate issues with the fuel system, ignition timing, or catalytic converter efficiency. Given the age and the documented history of steering component wear, a physical inspection of the front-end linkages and the condition of the exhaust system is essential to ensure that the previous mechanical defects have been addressed and that no new structural or component-level degradation has occurred during the undocumented years.