Used car guide · 2003–2026

Mitsubishi Outlander common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Mitsubishi Outlander, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 229,417 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander

Too few Mitsubishi Outlander cars first registered in 2003 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. 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 Outlander as a whole.

31on the UK register at the end of 2025
Plug-in hybridmost common fuel (also diesel)
What to check on a 2003 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

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).

20262021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003

What usually goes wrong with a Mitsubishi Outlander?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Oil in the clutch (diesel)

    Cars registered 2012–2021 · 2.2 diesel manual

    Engine oil can get onto the clutch and flywheel of the 2.2 diesel, and both then need replacing, which is expensive.

    At the viewing: Feel for clutch slip or judder pulling away.

    Source: Auto Express: used Mitsubishi Outlander (Mk3, 2012 on) review

  • Ten recalls

    Cars registered 2012–2021 · All engines

    Recalls covered adaptive cruise control (2013), gearbox, brakes, door latches, handbrake corrosion, driver aids and overheating ECUs, plus fuel leaks and starting problems on the PHEV.

    At the viewing: Ask a Mitsubishi dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: Auto Express: used Mitsubishi Outlander (Mk3, 2012 on) review

  • Bluetooth dropping out

    Cars registered 2012–2021 · All engines

    Phones disconnecting mid-call is a common complaint.

    At the viewing: Pair your phone and make a call.

    Source: Auto Express: used Mitsubishi Outlander (Mk3, 2012 on) review

Common Mitsubishi Outlander 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

  • Exhaust system

    up to 8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

Diesel

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 5.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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 3.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Brake pads

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints

    up to 28.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

  • Sub-frame

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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 link joints

    up to 5.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2016 and 2018.

    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.

Hybrid

  • Track rod ends

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints

    up to 22× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 2018 and 2019.

    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.

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Sidelights

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014 and 2015.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Electric

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints

    up to 7.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014.

    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.

  • Sidelights

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014.

    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 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014.

    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.

Mitsubishi Outlander MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander did best (86% passed first time, 3 points above all 2018 cars) and the 2007 did worst (51%, 6 points below all 2007 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202186%87% -15,208
202087%87% +016,045
201986%85% +126,105
201886%83% +332,159
201783%80% +326,574
201680%77% +333,107
201574%74% +038,318
201469%70% -121,288
201362%67% -56,111
201264%64% +03,350
201160%62% -23,884
201056%60% -44,368
200954%59% -53,772
200854%57% -34,656
200751%57% -63,267
200658%56% +2239 (small sample)
200551%57% -6432 (small sample)
200452%57% -5534

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Mitsubishi Outlander

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

  1. Has the clutch or flywheel been replaced?
  2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 4.7× as often on the Mitsubishi Outlander as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the Mitsubishi Outlander as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 21× as often on the Mitsubishi Outlander as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mitsubishi Outlander?

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