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MITSUBISHI LANCER (2001)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 223 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,047

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

2000cc Petrol

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £2047/year to run. 7 points above average.

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Petrol2000cc25 years old223 tests74k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2000cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 2000cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,047
Per month£171/mo
Per week£39/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

89% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MITSUBISHI brand average of 80%.

At 25 years old, 89% of MITSUBISHI LANCERs from 2001 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 223 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 73,824 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2001 cars30th of 362(top 8%)
Rank among MITSUBISHI models111th of 408(top 27%)
vs national average+7%(82% avg)
vs 2001 cars average+16%(73% avg)
vs MITSUBISHI average+9%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

73,824

Average miles

vs

185,000

Expected for age

The average 2001 MITSUBISHI LANCER has 73,824 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2014 model with a 96% MOT pass rate, while the 2010 model has the lowest at 72%. The 2001 sits between the two at 89%.

MITSUBISHI LANCER by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202088%5077,941 mi
201995%6697,178 mi
201892%4881,570 mi
201792%8981,385 mi
201694%9581,847 mi
201591%13783,291 mi
201496%5058,111 mi
201291%6760,175 mi
201173%2,326100,912 mi
201072%3,172104,196 mi
200976%2,157104,030 mi
200877%2,81898,098 mi
200775%1,54188,265 mi
200677%1,90286,458 mi
200578%1,95387,984 mi
200492%77676,874 mi
200393%56280,312 mi
200289%9981,221 mi
200189%22373,824 mi
200091%24673,093 mi
199988%30273,051 mi
199895%19780,685 mi
199793%42103,606 mi
199684%5792,249 mi

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About the 2001 MITSUBISHI LANCER

The 2001 MITSUBISHI LANCER is a family car with a 2000cc petrol engine. 223 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 8% of all 2001 cars for reliability.

With an average of 73,824 miles at 25 years old, MITSUBISHI LANCER owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2001 MITSUBISHI LANCER Fuel Costs

The 2000cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2001 MITSUBISHI LANCER?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,047 171/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MITSUBISHI LANCER Reliability Trend

The MITSUBISHI LANCER has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2001 MITSUBISHI LANCER

At 25 years old, the MITSUBISHI LANCER is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2014 model has the highest pass rate at 96%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2001 MITSUBISHI LANCER's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 25 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2001 MITSUBISHI LANCER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MITSUBISHI LANCER(2001)89%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2047
MINI MINI(2003)72%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£220
FORD FOCUS(2003)68%£1137£135Grp 12-25£2027-£20
HONDA CIVIC(2002)72%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£220
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2002)69%£1137£135Grp 12-25£2027-£20

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Mitsubishi Models

Explore other Mitsubishi cars or similar models in the same category.

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