2012 Mitsubishi I — MOT failures & pass rate
379 MOT tests on the 2012 Mitsubishi I are in this dataset, and 89.5% of them passed. That is 10.9 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 21.5%. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.0%) and visibility (3.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, tread depth and rigid brake pipes — track rod end alone was recorded 13 times.
A 60-90k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 23.3% versus 6.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 24.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 5.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 12.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.0% | 15 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.7% | 14 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.4% | 13 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.9% | 11 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.6% | 10 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.4% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 13 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 12 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 9 |
| 4 | Wipers | 9 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 7 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 7 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 24.0% | 91 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.0% | 91 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.6% | 78 |
| 4 | Steering | 12.1% | 46 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.5% | 21 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.6% | 10 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 119 | 6.7% |
| 30-60k | 212 | 9.9% |
| 60-90k | 43 | 23.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 86 | 5.8% |
| 2022 | 87 | 12.6% |
| 2023 | 73 | 9.6% |
| 2024 | 67 | 13.4% |
| 2025 | 66 | 12.1% |
What to check before buying a 2012 I
On a 2012 I, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.0% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (3.7% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (3.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2012 Mitsubishi Is pass their MOT?
89.5% of the 379 2012 Mitsubishi I MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Mitsubishi I?
Tyres, recorded in 4.0% of tests, followed by visibility (3.7%).
Does the 2012 I get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.7% in the 0-30k band to 23.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 379 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.