Family hatchback · 1996–2021 cars
Mitsubishi Lancer reliability
The Mitsubishi Lancer fails 33.2% of first MOT tests, 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 37,514 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mitsubishi Lancer before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 33.2%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 15% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 37,514
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,600
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mitsubishi Lancer ages
Each point is the share of Mitsubishi Lancers of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mitsubishi Lancer | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 11.6% | 25.5% |
| 10 | 35.3% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 39.9% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 40.5% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 40.3% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 35.9% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 36.2% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 35.2% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 32.5% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 28% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 20.5% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 11.2% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 11.5% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 13.4% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 15.2% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 13.7% | 37.1% |
| 25 | 10.1% | 35.8% |
By year
The best and worst Mitsubishi Lancer years
2004 cars come out best and 2011 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 211 | 7.1% | 68% fewer fails | 81,627 |
| 2016 | 212 | 13.7% | 45% fewer fails | 80,783 |
| 2015 | 266 | 8.3% | 68% fewer fails | 81,167 |
| 2011 Lancer | 4,571 | 39.9% | 9% more fails | 93,723 |
| 2010 Lancer | 6,170 | 41.7% | 8% more fails | 96,497 |
| 2009 Lancer | 4,266 | 36.3% | 10% fewer fails | 96,483 |
| 2008 Lancer | 5,494 | 34.8% | 13% fewer fails | 88,880 |
| 2007 Lancer | 3,279 | 35.7% | 10% fewer fails | 81,273 |
| 2006 Lancer | 3,903 | 35.6% | 13% fewer fails | 82,716 |
| 2005 Lancer | 4,021 | 32.1% | 22% fewer fails | 82,781 |
| 2004 Lancer | 1,480 | 13% | 67% fewer fails | 75,335 |
| 2003 Lancer | 1,026 | 13.4% | 67% fewer fails | 79,596 |
| 2002 | 207 | 10.6% | 73% fewer fails | 74,231 |
| 2001 | 447 | 13.2% | 65% fewer fails | 70,335 |
| 2000 | 441 | 11.1% | 69% fewer fails | 74,308 |
| 1999 | 549 | 15.3% | 56% fewer fails | 76,458 |
| 1998 | 306 | 12.7% | 63% fewer fails | 77,983 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Mitsubishi Lancer
Its weak spot is steering: 119% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics15.2%15% below avg
- Suspension12.7%13% below avg
- Brakes9.3%9% below avg
- Steering6.5%119% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.7%8% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5%21% below avg
- Tyres4.8%30% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure4.2%34% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.8%53% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 4.94% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 4.89% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Stop lamp not working 3.02% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.26% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.19% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 6
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 1.88% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 7
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.88% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 8
Exhaust has major gas leak 1.73% of tests
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mitsubishi Lancer's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit11.68%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy11.08%
- Brake disc pitted or scored8.02%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.21%
- Brake pads wearing thin5.98%
- Sub-frame showing corrosion5.94%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mitsubishi Lancer
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 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 Lancer covers about 8,600 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
- Petrol77.6%
- Diesel22.3%
- LPG0.1%
Most common colours
Silver, Black, Grey, Blue, Red
Average engine size: 1.8 litres.
Compare
How the Mitsubishi Lancer compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Honda Insight | 29.1% | 22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi Lancer | 33.2% | 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Bora | 41.4% | 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Jetta | 35% | 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Coupe | 48% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën DS4 | 42.3% | 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat Tipo | 26.1% | 52% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Mitsubishi models.
Questions
Mitsubishi Lancer questions, answered
Is the Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
On MOT results, the Mitsubishi Lancer is about average: it fails 33.2% of first MOT tests, 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 14 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Mitsubishi Lancer MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mitsubishi Lancer are position lamp not working (4.94% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (4.89% of tests), stop lamp not working (3.02% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 15.2% of its tests.
Which Mitsubishi Lancer year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2004 cars do best (67% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2011 cars do worst (9% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Mitsubishi Lancer do a year?
A typical Mitsubishi Lancer covers about 8,600 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 Lancer 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.
Found a Mitsubishi Lancer? Check it free.
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.