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MITSUBISHI LANCER (2006)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,902 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,197

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

77%

Average

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1997cc Petrol

Check Carefully

77% pass rate, £2197/year to run. 5 points below average.

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Petrol1997cc20 years old1,902 tests86k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1997cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1997cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£2,197
Per month£183/mo
Per week£42/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

77% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 20 years old, 77% of MITSUBISHI LANCERs from 2006 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,902 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 86,458 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2006 cars224th of 575(top 39%)
Rank among MITSUBISHI models221th of 408(top 54%)
vs national average-5%(82% avg)
vs 2006 cars average+4%(73% avg)
vs MITSUBISHI average-3%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

86,458

Average miles

vs

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER has 86,458 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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 2006 sits between the two at 77%.

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 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER

The 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER is a family car with a 1997cc petrol engine. 1,902 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2006, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 86,458 miles at 20 years old, MITSUBISHI LANCER owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER Fuel Costs

The 1997cc 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 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,197 183/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 77% 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 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER

At 20 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 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 20 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.

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.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 86k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

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 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MITSUBISHI LANCER(2006)77%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2197
FORD FOCUS(2008)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£370
BMW 3 SERIES(2007)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£330
MINI MINI(2008)74%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£370
RENAULT CLIO(2007)68%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2217+£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.

Related Guides

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