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Mitsubishi Lancer reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 101,380 MOT tests of cars first registered 1998–2011.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
65.6%pass first time
+5.3 ptsvs typical car
Beats 70%of cars
101,380MOT tests

Verdict

The Mitsubishi Lancer passes its MOT first time on 65.6% of tests, 5.3 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (60.3%). That puts it ahead of 70% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2000 Lancer does best (beats 100% of cars) and the 2011 worst (beats 45%).

Of its engines, the 2.0 Petrol does best (beats 99%) and the 2.0 Diesel worst (beats 34%).

Better than average on suspension, tyres, body & structure.

Watch these weak spots

Steering2.4×as often as a typical car
Track rod ends3.2×as often as a typical car
Rear fog light2.5×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

55%60%65%70%75%80%789101112131415161718192073%65%62%62%63%66%72%
Mitsubishi LancerTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

1998
Beats 100%
1999
Beats 100%
2000
Beats 100%
2001
Beats 100%
2003
Beats 100%
2004
Beats 100%
2005
Beats 77%
2006
Beats 66%
2007
Beats 62%
2008
Beats 66%
2009
Beats 57%
2010
Beats 47%
2011
Beats 45%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1998–201130,76981.5%Beats 99%A
1.6 Petrol2005–200830,46157.5%Beats 46%C
2.0 Diesel2008–201122,72856.4%Beats 34%D
1.8 Petrol2008–201111,61363.1%Beats 56%C
1.5 Petrol2009–20115,80964.2%Beats 55%C

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 5.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 11.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 14.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 15.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 5.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 9.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 15.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+2.5 ptsTyres: 5.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.8 ptsBrakes: 9.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+0.9 ptsSuspension: 11.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 14.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+3.3 ptsExhaust: 5.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.3 ptsSuspension: 11.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 14.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 9.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 5.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 15.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 5.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 15.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+2.5 ptsTyres: 5.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.8 ptsBrakes: 9.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+0.9 ptsSuspension: 11.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 14.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+3.3 ptsExhaust: 5.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.3 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Exhaust: 5.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
15.7% vs 18.3%
Suspension
11.4% vs 14.7%
Brakes
9.4% vs 10.3%
Steering
6.9% vs 2.9%
Tyres
5.4% vs 7.2%
Visibility
5.3% vs 6.5%
Emissions & leaks
5.3% vs 5.0%
Body & structure
3.6% vs 5.9%
Seat belts & airbags
0.9% vs 1.7%
Wheels
0.4% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Track rod ends 3.2× typical
    Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres.
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k91%81%73%67%61%57%54%55%
Mitsubishi LancerTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Track rod ends6.1%1.9%3.2×
Sidelights5.7%4.7%1.2×
Brake lights3.6%3.7%1.0×
Headlight aim3.2%4.7%0.7×
Windscreen wipers2.8%2.8%1.0×
Tyre damage & cracking2.8%3.8%0.7×
Tyre tread depth2.3%3.1%0.8×
Brake pads2.3%2.0%1.2×
Number plate lights2.3%2.1%1.1×
Brake pipes2.2%1.6%1.4×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn55.3
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play54.9
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning46.7
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning33.9
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements31.9
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen27.6
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements23.5
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm22.3
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2011 Mitsubishi Lancer4 engines63.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel7,77059.3%Beats 33%D
2.0 Petrol1,66079.8%Beats 93%A
1.8 Petrol1,43767.6%Beats 55%C
1.5 Petrol1,31667.2%Beats 50%C
2010 Mitsubishi Lancer4 engines61.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel8,92154.9%Beats 27%D
1.8 Petrol3,68065.9%Beats 60%B
1.5 Petrol2,34165.1%Beats 60%C
2.0 Petrol2,03977.3%Beats 94%A
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer4 engines61.5% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel3,90255.7%Beats 44%C
1.8 Petrol3,76561.4%Beats 53%C
1.5 Petrol2,15261.5%Beats 50%C
2.0 Petrol1,75874.6%Beats 92%A
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer4 engines64.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol6,61359.1%Beats 44%C
2.0 Petrol3,81381.6%Beats 99%A
1.8 Petrol2,73159.3%Beats 56%C
2.0 Diesel2,13553.9%Beats 44%C
2007 Mitsubishi Lancer2 engines63.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol7,54158.6%Beats 47%C
2.0 Petrol2,11279.3%Beats 98%A
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer2 engines62.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol8,37557.4%Beats 49%C
2.0 Petrol3,20876.4%Beats 98%A
2005 Mitsubishi Lancer2 engines64.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol7,93255.2%Beats 46%C
2.0 Petrol4,59881.5%Beats 100%A
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer1 engine85.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol3,53885.9%Beats 100%A
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer1 engine83.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol2,31683.8%Beats 100%A
2001 Mitsubishi Lancer1 engine84.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,41184.3%Beats 100%A
2000 Mitsubishi Lancer1 engine87.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,09487.4%Beats 100%A
1999 Mitsubishi Lancer1 engine84.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,76284.2%Beats 100%A
1998 Mitsubishi Lancer1 engine86.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,46086.2%Beats 100%A

FAQ

What is the Mitsubishi Lancer MOT pass rate?

65.6% of MOT tests on the Mitsubishi Lancer were passed first time, based on 101,380 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1998–2011. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 60.3% of the time.

Is the Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 70% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Mitsubishi Lancer year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2000 Lancer does best for its age and mileage: it beats 100% of cars on UK roads. The 2011 does worst: it beats 45%.

Which Mitsubishi Lancer engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Petrol does best: it beats 99% of cars on UK roads. The 2.0 Diesel does worst: it beats 34%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Mitsubishi Lancer?

The most common failure items are track rod ends, sidelights, brake lights. Compared with similar cars, track rod ends comes up 3.2× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.