2005 · 19 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer MOT pass rate and common faults

1,034 MOT tests in 2024. 67.5% passed first time, compared with 56.5% for all cars the same age.

119Well above average
Passed first time67.5%
Failed or needed repairs32.5%
Typical mileage at test84,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,034 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.8%
  2. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.2%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.7%
  4. Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.6%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
    39 marked dangerous
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.3%
    29 marked dangerous
  7. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.2%
  8. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits2.1%
  9. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.0%
  10. Rear fog lamp: not working2.0%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics20.1%
  2. Suspension17.3%
  3. Brakes11.1%
  4. Emissions & leaks8.9%
  5. Steering6.6%
  6. Tyres5.8%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.7%
  8. Body & chassis4.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm11.9%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.5%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.4%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded7.6%
  5. Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn7.4%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: track rod end: ball joint has excessive play. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer?

In 2024, 67.5% of 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,034 tests. The average for all 19-year-old cars was 56.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer?

The most common failure reasons were track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; service brake performance: excessively binding; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 119, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).