1997 Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0L Petrol · P724 AHO

A chronic pattern of power steering seepage dominates the mechanical narrative of this Mitsubishi Lancer, with the issue flagged at every test for the past four years and culminating in a failure in late 2022 when the offside front steering rack gaiter was found to be missing, allowing contamination of the steering rack. The most recent test on 12 December 2024 recorded a pass but again noted a slight power steering leak alongside a handbrake with little reserve travel. The 2022 failure is a notable data point, but the broader trend is one of progressive deterioration rather than acute failure, with the steering system in particular showing a worsening pattern of advisories. Earlier records from 2020 and 2021 were clean, but the appearance of multiple component advisories from 2022 onwards indicates that wear items are now accumulating at a meaningful rate. Against an 18-year working life and recorded mileage of 149,325 miles, the vehicle has averaged around 8,300 miles annually, which sits within the normal range for its age and suggests neither long-term storage nor unusually heavy use. There is a notable four-year gap in testing history between March 2015 and December 2019, during which the car appears not to have been presented for MOT, likely because it was either off the road or exempt from testing requirements during that period. Returning to the road after a lay-up of this duration would typically accelerate corrosion on underbody components such as brake lines and suspension linkages, which is consistent with the cluster of brake pipe and anti-roll bar advisories recorded at the 2015 test. The mileage progression between recorded tests appears broadly consistent, with no evidence of clocking or unusual jumps, but the accumulated wear from nearly 150,000 miles is inevitably reflected in the advisory pattern now emerging. For a prospective buyer, the priority is a thorough hands-on inspection of the steering system. The repeated advisories for power steering seepage indicate that the pump or rack seals have been losing fluid progressively, so check the reservoir level and look for wet residue around the pump body, the hoses, and the rack gaiters themselves. On the test drive, listen for any groaning or whining from the pump during low-speed lock-to-lock manoeuvres and feel for any notchiness or binding in the steering, which would suggest contamination has already damaged the rack internals. Also confirm that the replacement gaiter fitted after the 2022 failure is still intact, as a split gaiter would allow fresh contamination. Given the handbrake reserve travel advisory repeated in 2022 and 2024, test the handbrake on a steep incline and count the number of clicks required to hold the vehicle, as excessive travel points to worn rear brake shoes or a stretched cable that will require adjustment or replacement. The 2015 advisories for slightly corroded rear brake pipes and play in the rear anti-roll bar linkage and lower tie bar bushes suggest that corrosion and suspension wear were already evident at that stage, and these components should be examined closely given the intervening years and mileage. On the test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the rear suspension over rough roads or speed bumps, which would confirm that the anti-roll bar links and tie bar bushes flagged in 2015 have since worn further and likely need replacement. Inspect the underbody brake lines for surface rust and any flaking that has progressed since the 2015 advisory, paying particular attention to the rear pipes where corrosion was noted. Additionally, the exhaust leak advisory from the same test means the front section should be checked for blowing gases, which would be audible as a ticking under acceleration. Finally, because the vehicle has covered close to 150,000 miles, a compression test and inspection of the cam belt service history would be prudent given that interference engine timing on older Lancer petrol units makes belt failure a serious concern.