2005 Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0L Petrol · R7 OKG

This 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer passed its most recent MOT on 16 September 2025 at 85,219 miles, but the record reveals a maintenance trend that is stable at best rather than improving. The vehicle has consistently passed on the same day as a prior failure in both 2023 and 2024, indicating a pattern of presenting the car with known defects and rectifying them only after a formal failure notice. The most recent test still carried two advisories for corroded front brake pipes covered in grease or other material, a condition that has appeared intermittently since 2023. While the car remains legally roadworthy today, the persistence of corrosion-related advisories and the repeated same-day fail-and-pass cycle suggest a reactive rather than proactive maintenance approach by the previous keeper. The mileage profile is notably low for a vehicle of this age. At 85,219 miles over approximately 21 years, the annual accumulation averages roughly 4,058 miles per year. The recorded intervals between tests support this: 83,771 miles in September 2023, 84,586 miles in September 2024, and 85,219 miles in September 2025, representing gains of 815 miles and 633 miles respectively over consecutive 12-month periods. Such low utilisation raises the possibility of long periods of standing, which can accelerate rubber component perishment, brake seizure, and localised corrosion in ways that high-mileage use does not. The MOT record does not show any significant gaps in testing continuity, so there is no evidence of extended periods without a valid certificate, but the minimal annual mileage should prompt a closer inspection of components that deteriorate with age and inactivity rather than use. A buyer inspecting this Lancer in person should focus on the structural and mechanical areas that the MOT record has flagged repeatedly. All four coil springs were noted as corroded in the September 2023 test, and while this did not reappear as an advisory in 2024 or 2025, corrosion of this nature on a 20-year-old vehicle warrants a thorough visual check for pitting, cracking, or reduced ride height. The front brake pipes have drawn advisories for corrosion in both 2023 and 2025, with the additional note of grease or other material covering the affected areas, which may have been applied to mask the condition rather than address it. The offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint showed slight play in 2023, and the exhaust has been flagged as noisy in three consecutive test cycles, suggesting a deteriorating exhaust system that may require imminent replacement. The persistent headlamp and position lamp colour issues across multiple tests point to non-standard bulbs or aftermarket units that a previous owner swapped in and out around test time rather than resolving permanently. Beyond the documented advisories, the low-mileage pattern means a buyer should also assess tyre age and condition, brake caliper operation, and the condition of rubber bushes and hoses that may have dried out from prolonged standing. The oil leak noted as non-excessive in 2023 and 2024 did not appear in the 2025 record, which is encouraging, but a physical inspection of the engine and gearbox area for fresh or residual oil staining remains advisable. Overall, this Lancer presents as a low-mileage vehicle with a legally current MOT, but the recurring nature of certain advisories and the reactive maintenance pattern suggest a careful and thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential before committing.