Mitsubishi Lancer years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year
Mitsubishi Lancer years with MOT pass rates below the average for vehicles first used in the same year: 2011. Above it: 2008. The other year can't be told apart from average.
- Below the average for their first-use year2011
- Above the average for their first-use year2008
- Can't be told apart from average2010
The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.
First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 59.6% to 62.7%.
In 2025, 61.2% of the 3,685 initial MOT tests on Mitsubishi Lancer cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 59.1%. That is 2.0 points above the same-age average.
Check a specific Lancer
Mitsubishi Lancer MOT pass rate by year
| Year | Chart | Testsmedian miles | Passed first time | Against all vehicles that year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011age 14 | 1,04798,500 | 58.2%±3.1 | −3.0 ptsall: 61.2% | |
| 2010age 15 | 1,381102,000 | 60.9%±2.7 | +1.6 ptsall: 59.3% | |
| 2008age 17 | 1,25792,400 | 64.0%±2.7 | +6.8 ptsall: 57.2% |
Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.
When a car's mileage doesn't add upDoes mileage matter?
56.9% of Mitsubishi Lancer tests at 90,000 to 119,999 miles passed first time, against 53.5% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 56.0% and 55.7%.
| Miles at the test | Tests | Passed first time | Against all vehicles, same age and mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90,000–119,999 | 1,068 | 56.9%±3.0 | +0.9 ptsall: 56.0% |
| 120,000 or more | 1,061 | 53.5%±3.1 | −2.1 ptsall: 55.7% |
Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Lancer tests were about average in every band shown.
Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Mitsubishi Lancer tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.
Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. Not shown, with fewer than 1,000 tests: under 30,000, 30,000–59,999 and 60,000–89,999. 3 tests (0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count
Common Lancer problems at the MOT
MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems.
Most common MOT failures on the Mitsubishi Lancer
| Defect | Share of failed tests | All vehicles, same age |
|---|---|---|
| Position lamp not workingLights and electrics | 20.4%292 tests | 13.8% |
| Track rod end ball joint has excessive playSteering | 17.3%247 tests | 4.9% |
| Stop lamp not workingLights and electrics | 11.0%158 tests | 8.6% |
| Suspension arm ball joint excessively wornSuspension | 9.1%130 tests | 6.4% |
| Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lampsLights and electrics | 7.6%109 tests | 5.0% |
| Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gasesBody, chassis, structure | 7.5%108 tests | 3.6% |
| Coil spring fractured or brokenSuspension | 7.4%106 tests | 10.1% |
| Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively wornSuspension | 7.0%100 tests | 3.6% |
| Rigid brake pipes excessively corrodedBrakes | 6.8%98 tests | 2.4% |
| Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectivelyWindscreen, wipers, mirrors | 6.7%96 tests | 5.3% |
These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the Lancer's failed tests in each year. How we count
What to check when viewing a Lancer
Lights and electrics
- Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
- Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
- Check the dashboard warning lights come on when the car is switched on and then go out. Ask about any that stay lit.
Suspension
- Push down hard on each corner. Check the car rises once and settles, not bouncing again and again.
- On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
- Check the car sits level when parked on flat ground.
Brakes
- On a clear road, brake firmly and check the car stops in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
- Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
- Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.
Steering
- With the car switched on, turn the wheel from lock to lock and check it moves smoothly and quietly.
- On a straight, level road, check the car runs straight with the steering wheel centred.
Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.
Check a Lancer's MOT historyMitsubishi Lancer questions
Which Mitsubishi Lancer years have lower MOT pass rates?
Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, these model years have below-average MOT pass rates: 2011. Above average: 2008. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.
Is the Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 61.2% of initial MOT tests on Mitsubishi Lancer cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 59.1%. That is 2.0 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.
What are the most common Mitsubishi Lancer problems at the MOT?
The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 45.6% of failed tests), suspension (in 42.4% of failed tests) and brakes (in 27.9% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.
What mileage is normal for a 15-year-old Mitsubishi Lancer?
At their 2025 MOT tests, Mitsubishi Lancer cars first used in 2010, about 15 years old, had a median of 102,000 miles. Half had more and half had less.
How do I check a specific Lancer's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.
Check a car's MOT history for freeWhat MOT data can't tell you about any Mitsubishi Lancer
Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.
Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't showOther Mitsubishi models
- Mitsubishi L200−2.5 pts against the same-age average
- Mitsubishi Outlander+0.7 pts against the same-age average
- Mitsubishi ASX+1.9 pts against the same-age average
- Mitsubishi Colt−4.8 pts against the same-age average
- Mitsubishi Shogun+3.0 pts against the same-age average
- Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross+3.4 pts against the same-age average
Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.
All 8 Mitsubishi modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by ageSource: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Mitsubishi Lancer cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count