CarCostCheck

MITSUBISHI LANCER (2018)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 48 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,777

£148/month

MOT Pass Rate

92%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Great Choice

92% pass rate, £1777/year to run. 10 points above average.

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Petrol1998cc8 years old48 tests82k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200
Total per year£1,777
Per month£148/mo
Per week£34/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

92% MOT pass rate(Excellent)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MITSUBISHI brand average of 80%.

At 8 years old, 92% of MITSUBISHI LANCERs from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 48 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 81,570 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 cars259th of 649(top 40%)
Rank among MITSUBISHI models63th of 408(top 15%)
vs national average+10%(82% avg)
vs 2018 cars average+3%(89% avg)
vs MITSUBISHI average+12%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

81,570

Average miles

vs

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2018 MITSUBISHI LANCER has 81,570 miles on the clock, which is above the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

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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 2018 sits between the two at 92%.

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 2018 MITSUBISHI LANCER

The 2018 MITSUBISHI LANCER is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 48 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 81,570 miles at 8 years old, MITSUBISHI LANCER owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2018 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 2018 MITSUBISHI LANCER?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,777 148/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 92% 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 2018 MITSUBISHI LANCER

At 8 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2014 model has the highest pass rate at 96%. Note: with only 48 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2018 MITSUBISHI LANCER's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 8 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.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

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 2018 MITSUBISHI LANCER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MITSUBISHI LANCER(2018)92%£1327£195Grp 18-32£1777
FORD FOCUS(2016)87%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£100
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019)92%£1137£190Grp 12-25£1582-£195
FORD KUGA(2018)90%£1137£190Grp 12-25£1582-£195
MINI COOPER(2018)92%£1137£190Grp 12-25£1582-£195

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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