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Mitsubishi Outlander reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 533,268 MOT tests of cars first registered 2004–2021.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
77.7%pass first time
+2.9 ptsvs typical car
Beats 67%of cars
533,268MOT tests

Verdict

The Mitsubishi Outlander passes its MOT first time on 77.7% of tests, 2.9 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (74.9%). That puts it ahead of 67% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2016 Outlander does best (beats 83% of cars) and the 2014 worst (beats 49%).

Of its engines, the 2.4 Hybrid does best (beats 81%) and the 2.0 Diesel worst (beats 47%).

Better than average on tyres, emissions & leaks, body & structure.

Watch these weak spots

Steering2.2×as often as a typical car
Track rod ends2.5×as often as a typical car
Anti-roll bar links1.5×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.

40%50%60%70%80%90%345678910111213141516171887%85%82%74%64%56%53%52%
Mitsubishi OutlanderTypical 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.

2004
Beats 35%
2005
Beats 31%
2006
Beats 26%
2007
Beats 41%
2008
Beats 52%
2009
Beats 52%
2010
Beats 61%
2011
Beats 67%
2012
Beats 73%
2013
Beats 44%
2014
Beats 49%
2015
Beats 68%
2016
Beats 83%
2017
Beats 80%
2018
Beats 82%
2019
Beats 77%
2020
Beats 63%
2021
Beats 63%

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 Hybrid2014–2018254,25681.9%Beats 80%A
2.3 Diesel2010–2018116,31573.9%Beats 53%C
2.4 Hybrid2018–202175,89586.5%Beats 81%A
2.0 Diesel2007–201041,17854.8%Beats 47%C
2.0 Petrol2018–202019,56785.3%Beats 53%C
2.2 Diesel2008–201216,74762.4%Beats 61%B
2.4 Petrol2004–20109,31055.1%Beats 46%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: 1.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.3% 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: 5.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.4% 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: 7.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 9.0% 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: 5.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.7% 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: 6.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.5% 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: 7.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 9.0% 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+1.8 ptsTyres: 5.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.7% 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: 6.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.5% 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−0.7 ptsSuspension: 5.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.4% 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+1.1 ptsExhaust: 1.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.3% 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+0.7 ptsSuspension: 5.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.4% 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: 6.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.5% 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: 5.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.7% 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: 7.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 9.0% 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: 1.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.3% 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: 7.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 9.0% 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+1.8 ptsTyres: 5.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.7% 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: 6.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.5% 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−0.7 ptsSuspension: 5.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.4% 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+1.1 ptsExhaust: 1.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.3% 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+0.7 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Brakes: 6.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.5% 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.

Every MOT area

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

Lights & electrics
7.2% vs 9.0%
Brakes
6.2% vs 5.5%
Suspension
5.3% vs 6.4%
Tyres
5.0% vs 6.7%
Visibility
3.9% vs 4.3%
Steering
2.8% vs 1.3%
Emissions & leaks
1.6% vs 2.3%
Body & structure
1.3% vs 2.1%
Seat belts & airbags
0.4% vs 0.7%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Track rod ends 2.5× typical
    Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres.
  • Anti-roll bar links 1.5× typical
    A knock or rattle over uneven roads usually means worn anti-roll bar links (cheap to fix).
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k93%88%84%80%74%68%64%61%
Mitsubishi OutlanderTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking2.8%3.6%0.8×
Track rod ends2.6%1.0%2.5×
Windscreen wipers2.6%2.1%1.2×
Brake pads2.4%2.3%1.0×
Sidelights2.0%1.9%1.1×
Headlight aim1.9%2.7%0.7×
Tyre tread depth1.7%2.8%0.6×
Headlight bulbs & units1.5%1.7%0.9×
Suspension ball joints1.3%1.1%1.1×
Windscreen washers1.1%1.9%0.6×

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 worn27.2
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen25.6
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm22.7
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play20.0
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements19.2
A tyre seriously damaged19.2
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning17.8
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements16.7
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.

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander1 engine86.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Hybrid6,88386.2%Beats 63%B
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander2 engines86.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Hybrid14,89886.4%Beats 68%B
2.0 Petrol5,76885.5%Beats 42%C
2019 Mitsubishi Outlander2 engines86.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Hybrid30,18686.3%Beats 83%A
2.0 Petrol11,50785.4%Beats 57%C
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander4 engines85.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Hybrid25,40385.9%Beats 87%A
2.4 Hybrid23,92887.0%Beats 90%A
2.3 Diesel11,20182.4%Beats 55%C
2.0 Petrol2,29284.5%Beats 59%C
2017 Mitsubishi Outlander2 engines84.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Hybrid48,38185.0%Beats 86%A
2.3 Diesel12,29881.0%Beats 56%C
2016 Mitsubishi Outlander2 engines82.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Hybrid71,08883.2%Beats 87%A
2.3 Diesel16,73080.0%Beats 62%B
2015 Mitsubishi Outlander2 engines78.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Hybrid96,21979.3%Beats 73%B
2.3 Diesel18,45074.5%Beats 39%D
2014 Mitsubishi Outlander2 engines71.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Diesel20,09770.1%Beats 38%D
2.0 Hybrid13,16574.5%Beats 64%B
2013 Mitsubishi Outlander1 engine67.2% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Diesel17,91267.2%Beats 44%C
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander2 engines71.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Diesel8,81670.7%Beats 72%B
2.2 Diesel1,84573.6%Beats 80%A
2011 Mitsubishi Outlander2 engines66.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Diesel8,43967.0%Beats 68%B
2.2 Diesel4,02865.9%Beats 65%B
2010 Mitsubishi Outlander4 engines62.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel5,72760.9%Beats 57%C
2.0 Diesel5,14760.6%Beats 59%C
2.3 Diesel2,37267.1%Beats 75%B
2.4 Petrol1,11265.8%Beats 66%B
2009 Mitsubishi Outlander3 engines57.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel9,99956.4%Beats 48%C
2.2 Diesel1,82659.2%Beats 59%C
2.4 Petrol1,05066.2%Beats 74%B
2008 Mitsubishi Outlander3 engines55.5% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel12,77754.6%Beats 49%C
2.2 Diesel3,32156.4%Beats 56%C
2.4 Petrol1,39362.1%Beats 67%B
2007 Mitsubishi Outlander1 engine51.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel13,25551.4%Beats 41%C
2006 Mitsubishi Outlander1 engine50.2% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol1,05250.2%Beats 26%D
2005 Mitsubishi Outlander1 engine49.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol1,97049.5%Beats 31%D
2004 Mitsubishi Outlander1 engine49.0% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol2,73349.0%Beats 35%D

FAQ

What is the Mitsubishi Outlander MOT pass rate?

77.7% of MOT tests on the Mitsubishi Outlander were passed first time, based on 533,268 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2004–2021. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 74.9% of the time.

Is the Mitsubishi Outlander 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 67% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Mitsubishi Outlander year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2016 Outlander does best for its age and mileage: it beats 83% of cars on UK roads. The 2014 does worst: it beats 49%.

Which Mitsubishi Outlander engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.4 Hybrid does best: it beats 81% of cars on UK roads. The 2.0 Diesel does worst: it beats 47%.

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

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, track rod ends, windscreen wipers. Compared with similar cars, track rod ends comes up 2.5× 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.