2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse 1.5L Petrol · SC68 UFD

Brake pipe corrosion is the defining mechanical story of this 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse, and it is a theme the buyer must take seriously. In November 2024 the vehicle failed its MOT outright with both nearside and offside brake pipes recorded as excessively corroded front to rear, a major defect affecting the primary hydraulic braking circuit. It passed the following day, indicating the pipes were replaced or repaired, yet the 2024 and 2025 passes both carried advisories for the rear brake pipes on both sides being corroded and covered in grease or other material. This suggests either residual corrosion on sections not renewed, or protective coatings and grease applied to mask or slow further deterioration. The most recent test on 12 November 2025 resulted in a pass, but the recurring brake pipe advisories alongside tyre wear and perishing notes show the overall trend is one of persistent, slowly worsening corrosion-related concerns rather than a clean bill of health. The recorded mileage of 32,260 miles over roughly eight years equates to only about 4,000 miles per year, well below the UK average. Annual tests have been consistent each November with no significant gaps, so the odometer record appears coherent. Low annual mileage on a vehicle of this age typically means the engine, transmission, and clutch have seen modest wear, but it also correlates with the pattern seen here: tyres perishing and cracking before they wear out, and corrosion taking hold on underbody components such as brake pipes, which deteriorate with time and exposure to road salt regardless of distance covered. The 2022 advisory for the tyre pressure monitoring system light and the 2023 advisories for front and rear brake pads wearing thin are consistent with a lightly used vehicle whose friction components age rather than wear rapidly. On inspection, the priority area is the full length of the brake pipe run from front to rear on both sides. Ask for evidence of the November 2024 repair, including invoices showing which sections were renewed, and examine the rear pipes in particular given the repeated advisories. Surface corrosion covered in grease warrants a close look underneath the vehicle, ideally on a ramp, to judge whether the pipes are genuinely sound or merely dressed up for the test. On the test drive, check for a firm, consistent brake pedal with no sponginess or excessive travel, and confirm the car stops straight without pulling to either side, which could indicate uneven braking effort from compromised lines or sticking calipers. The tyres also need attention: the nearside front has been flagged as worn close to the legal limit on its edge across three consecutive tests, which points to a possible tracking or wheel alignment issue causing uneven shoulder wear, so budget for a replacement tyre and a four-wheel alignment check. Both rear tyres were noted as slightly damaged, cracking, or perishing in 2025, and age-degraded tyres should be replaced regardless of remaining tread depth. Finally, verify the tyre pressure monitoring system functions correctly, given the earlier warning light advisory, and confirm the brake pads renewed after the 2023 advisories still have adequate material. With the corrosion history addressed and documented, this low-mileage Eclipse could represent reasonable value, but an independent underbody inspection before purchase is strongly advised.