Mitsubishi Outlander: what fails at MOT
116,000 MOT tests on the Mitsubishi Outlander in 2024, counted. 21.4% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
21.3% of Mitsubishi Outlander tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 21.3%, so the Outlander is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (4.8% of tests), brakes (4.3% of tests) and suspension (3.8% of tests). It fails on brakes and steering more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,467 | 15.3% | 10.9% | 30,600 20,500 to 42,700 |
| 2020 | 8,259 | 12.8% | 11.5% | 34,600 24,000 to 48,800 |
| 2019 | 12,283 | 12.2% | 13.4% | 45,300 32,700 to 61,700 |
| 2018 | 16,354 | 14.1% | 15.6% | 55,800 42,300 to 73,600 |
| 2017 | 13,645 | 16.2% | 18.2% | 63,200 48,000 to 82,600 |
| 2016 | 16,454 | 18.8% | 21.3% | 76,400 58,400 to 101,400 |
| 2015 | 19,121 | 24.6% | 24.4% | 84,900 66,200 to 108,100 |
| 2014 | 10,472 | 28.8% | 27.7% | 93,400 74,500 to 115,200 |
| 2013 | 3,066 | 37.1% | 30.6% | 100,000 82,000 to 118,100 |
| 2012 | 1,698 | 32.9% | 33.4% | 102,700 85,700 to 123,200 |
| 2011 | 2,020 | 37.0% | 36.1% | 112,900 95,500 to 138,900 |
| 2010 | 2,073 | 40.6% | 38.6% | 123,500 101,600 to 146,300 |
| 2009 | 1,897 | 46.1% | 39.8% | 132,900 108,300 to 154,800 |
| 2008 | 2,380 | 48.1% | 41.5% | 136,600 115,000 to 162,900 |
| 2007 | 1,621 | 47.4% | 41.5% | 136,800 115,800 to 157,800 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Mitsubishi Outlander tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Outlander | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 4.8% | 4.9% | |
| Brakes | 4.3% | 3.2% | More than most |
| Suspension | 3.8% | 3.8% | |
| Tyres | 3.4% | 4.0% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.3% | 2.5% | |
| Steering | 1.8% | 0.8% | More than most |
| Body and structure | 1.0% | 1.3% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.0% | 1.4% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre2.2%
- Brake pads1.8%
- Track rod end1.7%
- Side light1.4%
- Wipers1.4%
- Headlamp aim1.2%
- Tyre tread1.2%
- Ball joint1.1%
- Headlamp1.1%
- Footbrake0.9%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.7%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.4%
- Side light: not working1.4%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.2%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.1%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.1%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.0%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam0.8%
- Footbrake: excessively binding0.7%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.6%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge11.8%
- Brake pads: wearing thin7.2%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened6.2%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.7%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material3.0%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement2.6%
- Coil spring: corroded1.8%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.8%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
Check a Mitsubishi Outlander's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.