Used buying checklist
Mitsubishi Lancer reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Mitsubishi Lancer looks worse than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 22.7% of 13,751 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 22.7% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 89,670 miles
- 3,121 failed MOT tests analysed
Corrosion and structure is the clearest area to check
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (73.9 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include excessively corroded, corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced, and prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- excessively corroded
- corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength
- ferrule excessively corroded
- ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated
- ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)
- ball joint has excessive play
- does not emit a steady red light
- has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced
Focus on corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical
The model's recorded failure rate is 22.7%, +4.0 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed13,751 tests
- Median tested mileage89,670 miles
- Failed MOT tests3,121
Should you buy a used Mitsubishi Lancer?
77.3% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 22.7%, +4.0 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical
- corrosion and structure appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "excessively corroded"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (73.9 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Mitsubishi Lancer, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
The MOT failure rate rises from 9.8% at 0-3 years to 20.2% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (73.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (36.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (21.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (16.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (7.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Mitsubishi Lancer, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (73.9 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Mitsubishi Lancer mainly involve 6 areas: suspension and steering, seatbelts and safety systems, lights and electrical, and mixed recall notices. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Mitsubishi Lancer, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 1,601 | 1,398 | 12.5%+1.7 percentage points vs all models | 38,910 miles |
| 50-100k | 6,674 | 5,269 | 20.8%+0.0 percentage points vs all models | 77,594 miles |
| 100-150k | 4,408 | 3,229 | 28.4%+2.2 percentage points vs all models | 118,502 miles |
| 150-200k | 836 | 604 | 29.5%+2.3 percentage points vs all models | 163,322 miles |
| 200k+ | 102 | 68 | 34.3%+7.8 percentage points vs all models | 222,751 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Mitsubishi Lancer, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 9.8% at 0-3 years to 20.2% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 26.1% for 10-15 years cars, based on 6,817 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
41 | 37 | 9.8%+1.3 percentage points vs all models | 2.7 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
141 | 137 | 3.5%-7.0 percentage points vs all models | 4.6 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
216 | 202 | 6.9%-9.7 percentage points vs all models | 7.6 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
6,817 | 5,056 | 26.1%+2.5 percentage points vs all models | 13.1 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
6,536 | 5,197 | 20.2%-5.7 percentage points vs all models | 17.1 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2021-07-25 | THE AIR BAG INFLATOR MIGHT HAVE A DIFFERENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT PERFORMANCE THAN DESIGNED PROVIDING LESS PROTECTION The airbag inflator might have a different airbag deployment performance than designed providing less protection. The driver side frontal airbag will be replaced with an alternate inflator. |
|---|---|
| 2015-11-19 | AIRBAG MAY RELEASE SHRAPNEL IF DEPLOYED Certain passenger side airbags the inflator might release shrapnel from the inflator container during deployment which could injure the passenger. On affected vehicles replace air bag modules |
| 2015-09-28 | ECU MALFUNCTION MAY CAUSE SYSTEMS TO BECOME INOPERABLE During operation the headlights and or the windscreen wipers amongst other systems may become inoperable as a result a none conformity in the Electronic Time & Alarm System (ETACS) ECU. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and check the production date of the ETACS ECU. The ETACS ECU will be replaced if it is within the affected production dates. |
| 2014-11-28 | LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE Due to the use of inappropriate material for the drive belt on the 4B1 Petrol engine the nylon idler pulley(s) may wear at an angle. If this continues under this condition the drive belt will be forced off the pulleys. This can lead to battery depletion Overheating and on vehicles with hydraulic power steering the steering effort will increase. Replace drive belt. Check and if necessary replace idler pulley(s) |
| 2010-08-18 | CLUTCH MAY FAIL The fixing clip for the clutch master cylinder pipe has insufficient clamping force to retain the pipe on the cylinder. This can result in detachment of the pipe and subsequent loss of clutch operation. Recall affected vehicles and replace fixing clip with modified stronger version. |
| 2009-12-29 | FUEL MAY LEAK Fuel may leak from the low pressure fuel return pipe as a result of vibration causing the pipe to crack. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the fuel return pipe for one of a modified type. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Mitsubishi Lancer. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Mitsubishi reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.