Family SUV · 1996–2021 cars
Mitsubishi Eclipse reliability
The Mitsubishi Eclipse fails 12.6% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 32,656 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mitsubishi Eclipse before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 12.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 9% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 32,656
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,000
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mitsubishi Eclipse ages
Each point is the share of Mitsubishi Eclipses of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mitsubishi Eclipse | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 13.3% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 13.3% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 14.3% | 19.1% |
By year
The best and worst Mitsubishi Eclipse years
2018 cars come out best and 2019 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 631 | 13.9% | 18% more fails | 24,926 |
| 2020 Eclipse | 2,344 | 11.1% | 7% fewer fails | 26,234 |
| 2019 Eclipse | 11,244 | 12.5% | 5% fewer fails | 30,934 |
| 2018 Eclipse | 18,034 | 12.8% | 11% fewer fails | 34,594 |
| 2017 | 345 | 12.5% | 21% fewer fails | 38,021 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Mitsubishi Eclipse
Its weak spot is brakes: 39% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.4%37% above avg
- Tyres3.7%21% below avg
- Brakes3.4%39% above avg
- Lights and electrics1.9%40% below avg
- Suspension0.7%50% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.4%52% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.3%39% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.2%27% below avg
- Steering0.1%72% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.34% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.13% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.18% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.99% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 5
Tyre pressure monitoring system faulty 0.68% of tests
A faulty tyre pressure monitor cannot warn about low tyre pressure, so check tyres manually and have the fault diagnosed.
- 6
Headlamp aim set too high 0.46% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 7
Headlamp aim set too low 0.31% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.21% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mitsubishi Eclipse's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking11.15%
- Brake pads wearing thin10.75%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit9.99%
- Brake disc pitted or scored6.23%
- Child seat limits belt inspection2.47%
- Nail in tyre, monitor1.78%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mitsubishi Eclipse
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Mitsubishi Eclipse covers about 8,000 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol100%
Most common colours
White, Red, Black, Grey, Silver
Average engine size: 1.5 litres.
Compare
How the Mitsubishi Eclipse compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Jaguar I-Pace | 7.1% | 47% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Edge | 13.8% | 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Subaru Forester | 29.5% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi Eclipse | 12.6% | 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jeep Cherokee | 33.1% | 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Captiva | 46.9% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SsangYong Korando | 31.8% | 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family suv ranked in the family suv reliability index, or all Mitsubishi models.
Questions
Mitsubishi Eclipse questions, answered
Is the Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?
On MOT results, the Mitsubishi Eclipse is about average: it fails 12.6% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 33 of 59 family suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Mitsubishi Eclipse MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mitsubishi Eclipse are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.34% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.13% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.18% of tests). By area, windscreen, wipers and mirrors fails 4.4% of its tests.
Which Mitsubishi Eclipse year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2018 cars do best (11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2019 cars do worst (5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Mitsubishi Eclipse do a year?
A typical Mitsubishi Eclipse covers about 8,000 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Mitsubishi Eclipse before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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