Mitsubishi Lancer MOT Failures
An analysis of 76,981 real DVSA MOT tests on the Mitsubishi Lancer — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: CY (2007–2017), Evo X (2008–2016).
Where the Mitsubishi Lancer fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Mitsubishi Lancer is anti-roll bar links worn — this model is 373 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 76,981 MOT tests, 14.02% of all Mitsubishi Lancer tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include track rod ends worn (23x the fleet average), emissions failure (469x the fleet average), power steering fault (25x the fleet average), and exhaust system damage (39x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Mitsubishi Lancer's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Suspension, Steering, Exhaust & Emissions, Bodywork, Lights & Electrics. If you're inspecting a Mitsubishi Lancer before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Mitsubishi Lancer's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Mitsubishi Lancer specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (469x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (95x). light unit fault (83x) and exhaust system damage (39x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Mitsubishi Lancer specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (212x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (85x). power steering fault (25x) and track rod ends worn (23x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Mitsubishi Lancer specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are anti-roll bar links worn (39x the average) and lens defective which has no effect on emitted l... (25x). exhaust system damage (22x) and structural corrosion (13x) also appear frequently.
The shift from emissions failure at lower mileages to anti-roll bar links worn at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Mitsubishi Lancer specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
SST gearbox issues (Evo X) Dangerous
The SST (Sports Shift Transmission) is Mitsubishi's twin-clutch automated manual gearbox fitted to all UK Evo X models. Affects Evo X.
Turbo failure (Evo X) Major
The IHI turbocharger on the 4B11T engine is prone to bearing failure and compressor wheel damage, particularly on cars that have been modified or driven hard. Affects Evo X; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,200–£2,000.
Transfer case wear (Evo X) Major
The AYC (Active Yaw Control) transfer case distributes torque between the rear wheels and is integral to the Evo's handling characteristics. Affects Evo X.
Suspension component failure (CJ/CY) Major
The CJ/CY Lancer suffers from premature failure of suspension bushes, particularly the front lower arm bushes and rear trailing arm bushes. Affects CJ/CY; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Mitsubishi Lancer common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Mitsubishi Lancer
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Mitsubishi Lancer:
Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn, suspension component damaged or corroded. Steering — check for track rod ends worn, power steering fault. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about sst gearbox issues and turbo failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
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Mitsubishi Lancer MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Mitsubishi Lancer?
Based on 76,981 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is anti-roll bar links worn — at 373x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include track rod ends worn and emissions failure.
Is the Mitsubishi Lancer reliable based on MOT data?
The Mitsubishi Lancer has 14 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag sst gearbox issues as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Mitsubishi Lancer most commonly fails on anti-roll bar links worn and lens defective which has no effect on emitted l.... Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are emissions failure and anti-roll bar links worn.
How do I check a Mitsubishi Lancer's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.