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MITSUBISHI LANCER (2016)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 95 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,897

£158/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £1897/year to run. 12 points above average.

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Petrol1998cc10 years old95 tests82k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1998cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200
Total per year£1,897
Per month£158/mo
Per week£36/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

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MITSUBISHI brand average of 80%.

At 10 years old, 94% of MITSUBISHI LANCERs from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 95 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 81,847 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 cars102th of 586(top 17%)
Rank among MITSUBISHI models34th of 408(top 8%)
vs national average+12%(82% avg)
vs 2016 cars average+9%(85% avg)
vs MITSUBISHI average+14%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

81,847

Average miles

vs

74,000

Expected for age

The average 2016 MITSUBISHI LANCER has 81,847 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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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 2016 sits between the two at 94%.

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 2016 MITSUBISHI LANCER

The 2016 MITSUBISHI LANCER is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 95 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 17% of all 2016 cars for reliability.

With an average of 81,847 miles at 10 years old, MITSUBISHI LANCER owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2016 MITSUBISHI LANCER Fuel Costs

The 1998cc 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 2016 MITSUBISHI LANCER?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,897 158/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 2016 MITSUBISHI LANCER

At 10 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%. Note: with only 95 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2016 MITSUBISHI LANCER's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 10 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 82k 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 2016 MITSUBISHI LANCER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MITSUBISHI LANCER(2016)94%£1327£315Grp 18-32£1897
FORD FOCUS(2014)80%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£220
NISSAN QASHQAI(2014)78%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£70
FORD KUGA(2018)90%£1137£190Grp 12-25£1582-£315
BMW 3 SERIES(2015)88%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£220

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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