2007 Mitsubishi I 0.7L Petrol · VU07 BNO

The most recent MOT test on 16 April 2025 resulted in a Pass, albeit with a Minor advisory recorded for a severely deteriorated CV joint boot on the nearside rear drive shaft. Earlier that same day, the vehicle initially failed on a Presenter-rectifiable item concerning an inoperative offside rear stop lamp, which was clearly addressed to allow the subsequent pass. Looking at the broader history, the maintenance picture is broadly stable but suggests a gradual accrual of age-related wear items rather than any acute decline. The 2024 test passed cleanly with only a wiper blade defect, while the 2021 test surfaced advisories for worn front suspension arm pins or bushes on both sides alongside a major failure for a front position lamp. The recurring pattern of suspension advisories in 2021 combined with a driveline boot defect in 2025 indicates that rubber and protective components are beginning to reach the end of their functional life, which is consistent with a vehicle of this vintage. With approximately 64,474 miles recorded over nineteen years, this Mitsubishi i has covered only around 3,393 miles annually, which is exceptionally low for its age and points to either very light usage or extended periods of standing. Such a low annual mileage typically means the engine, gearbox, and main drivetrain components are unlikely to have suffered excessive mechanical wear from high cycle counts. However, prolonged periods of inactivity bring their own set of concerns, particularly around corrosion, perished rubber, and fluid degradation. The mechanical implications of this usage profile lean more towards calendar-related deterioration than mileage-related wear, and any prospective buyer should be mindful that garage-stored or infrequently used vehicles often present hidden issues not visible on an MOT. Given the recorded advisory and Minor defect concerning the nearside rear CV joint boot, it is worth carrying out a thorough physical inspection beneath the vehicle. A split, perished, or grease-leaking boot will allow contamination into the constant velocity joint, leading to eventual joint failure characterised by a clicking or knocking noise when turning at low speed, or vibration under acceleration. Replacing the boot promptly and inspecting the joint for retained grease is a relatively inexpensive rectification, but ignoring it can lead to a complete driveshaft replacement. The 2021 advisories for worn front suspension arm pins or bushes also warrant close attention, as these components control wheel geometry and ride quality. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over bumps, uneven or feathered tyre wear on the front pair, and vague or wandering steering response, any of which would suggest the bushes have deteriorated beyond advisory stage and now require replacement. Beyond the recorded defects, the age and low usage profile of this vehicle demand several practical physical checks before purchase. Tyres fitted to a car of this age may exhibit sidewall perishing or cracking from ozone exposure even if the tread depth appears adequate, so inspect the sidewalls carefully for hairline fractures. Brake discs and calipers can suffer from corrosion and seizing when a vehicle stands for long periods, so check for binding calipers, uneven brake application, or a pulsating brake pedal, and inspect the discs for excessive rust lipping. The 12 volt battery is a common failure point on infrequently used cars, so verify its age and state of charge, and check that the engine turns over promptly without hesitation. Finally, confirm the service history documentation to ensure that time-sensitive items such as engine coolant, brake fluid, and gearbox oil have been renewed at appropriate calendar intervals, and inspect the underbody and wheel arches for surface corrosion, particularly around suspension mounting points, exhaust hangers, and structural seams, as standing vehicles in damp conditions are prone to underbody oxidation that would not be flagged in the MOT history alone.