Mitsubishi Lancer

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 24 model years from 18,975 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

87%

Total Tests

18,975

Highest Pass Rate

1998 (95%)

Years Covered

About the Mitsubishi Lancer

The Mitsubishi Lancer was MOT tested 18,975 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 24 model years (1996 to 2020), with an average pass rate of 87%. That's slightly above the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1998 model has the highest pass rate at 95% from 197 tests. The 2010 model has the lowest at 72%. With a 23 point gap, the year you choose makes a real difference. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Older Mitsubishi Lancers tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 12 percentage points across model years.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1996) averages 92,249 miles, while the newest (2020) averages 77,941 miles.

Compared to the Mitsubishi brand average of 80%, the Lancer performs 7 points better, making it one of the more reliable options in the Mitsubishi range.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1999cc)

£1,631

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,236

Per month£186/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2020 details

How reliable is the Mitsubishi Lancer?

vs average of all models+5% (82% avg)

vs Mitsubishi brand average+7% (80% avg)

Best to worst year spread23 percentage points

Reliability trendDeclining over years

Mitsubishi Lancer by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2020	88%	50	77,941 mi
2019	95%	66	97,178 mi
2018	92%	48	81,570 mi
2017	92%	89	81,385 mi
2016	94%	95	81,847 mi
2015	91%	137	83,291 mi
2014	96%	50	58,111 mi
2012	91%	67	60,175 mi
2011	73%	2,326	100,912 mi
2010	72%	3,172	104,196 mi
2009	76%	2,157	104,030 mi
2008	77%	2,818	98,098 mi
2007	75%	1,541	88,265 mi
2006	77%	1,902	86,458 mi
2005	78%	1,953	87,984 mi
2004	92%	776	76,874 mi
2003	93%	562	80,312 mi
2002	89%	99	81,221 mi
2001	89%	223	73,824 mi
2000	91%	246	73,093 mi
1999	88%	302	73,051 mi
1998	95%	197	80,685 mi
1997	93%	42	103,606 mi
1996	84%	57	92,249 mi

Questions about the Mitsubishi Lancer

Is the Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?

Across its 24 model years in our data (1996 to 2020), the Mitsubishi Lancer averages an 87% MOT pass rate, from 18,975 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 5 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 1998 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 95%.

Which year Mitsubishi Lancer has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1998 Mitsubishi Lancer has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%, while the 2010 model has the lowest at 72%, a 23 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.