2011 Mitsubishi Lancer petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer petrol than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Rigid brake pipes2.6× usual
  Mitsubishi Lancer

  15% All 2011 cars

  5.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 1% of all 2011 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-frame2.2× usual
  Mitsubishi Lancer

  9.4% All 2011 cars

  4.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2011 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 ends1.9× usual
  Mitsubishi Lancer

  8.9% All 2011 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 2.4% of all 2011 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.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.8× usual
  Mitsubishi Lancer

  3.8% All 2011 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

Common 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  31% 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
  29% 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
  26% 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
  25% 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
  11% 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 an engine warning light.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  7% 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 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer petrol

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 2.6× as often on the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?