Used car guide · 1991–2026

Mitsubishi Lancer common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Mitsubishi Lancer, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 29,239 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2026 Mitsubishi Lancer

Cars registered in 2026 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Mitsubishi Lancer as a whole.

12registered new in 2026 so far
2029first MOT due
Petrolfuel type
What to check on a 2026 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20262019201720162015201420122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819961991

What usually goes wrong with a Mitsubishi Lancer?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Mitsubishi Lancer in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Mitsubishi Lancer MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Track rod ends

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

    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-frame

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints

    up to 6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008 and 2009.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)

    up to 3.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010 and 2011.

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

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

Diesel

  • Sub-frame

    up to 4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 3.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

    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.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 4.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

    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.

  • Number plate lights

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2010 and 2011.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008 and 2009.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Ball joint

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008 and 2009.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Mitsubishi Lancer MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer did best (68% passed first time, 11 points above all 2005 cars) and the 2011 did worst (59%, 3 points below all 2011 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201993%85% +8118 (small sample)
201792%80% +12149 (small sample)
201691%77% +14141 (small sample)
201591%74% +17171 (small sample)
201493%70% +23100 (small sample)
201280%64% +16105 (small sample)
201159%62% -33,602
201059%60% -14,900
200961%59% +23,378
200864%57% +74,268
200764%57% +72,556
200665%56% +92,914
200568%57% +113,064
200486%57% +291,113
200387%57% +30726
200288%58% +30178 (small sample)
200187%60% +27409 (small sample)
200088%61% +27357 (small sample)
199988%63% +25506
199888%65% +23361 (small sample)
199680%66% +14123 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Mitsubishi Lancer

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

  1. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the Mitsubishi Lancer as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 11.5× as often on the Mitsubishi Lancer as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.9× as often on the Mitsubishi Lancer as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mitsubishi Lancer?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score