2010 Mitsubishi Lancer diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer diesel than on all cars registered in 2010.

• Rigid brake pipes3.5× usual
  Mitsubishi Lancer

  23% All 2010 cars

  6.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.1% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Sub-frame3.8× usual
  Mitsubishi Lancer

  19.6% All 2010 cars

  5.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.3% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Track rod ends3.5× usual
  Mitsubishi Lancer

  17.3% All 2010 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.6%, against 2.5% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Suspension arm2.9× usual
  Mitsubishi Lancer

  9.1% All 2010 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.4% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Number plate lights1.7× usual
  Mitsubishi Lancer

  14.7% All 2010 cars

  8.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 2.4% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Common 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  61% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Brakes
  46% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  37% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  35% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Exhaust and emissions
  15% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  13% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 3.8× as often on the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?