2002 Mitsubishi Lancer — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 321 MOT tests, the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer recorded a 92.2% pass rate. Small family cars of a similar age fail 28.0% of the time, so this is 20.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.2% of tests against 2.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, rear fog lamp and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 14 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.8% in the 30-60k band and 13.2% in the 90-120k band, a 7.4-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 10.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 4.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 10.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.2% | 23 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 2.8% | 9 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.2% | 7 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.9% | 6 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.6% | 5 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.3% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 14 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 11 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 7 |
| 4 | Wipers | 5 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 4 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 4 |
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 | 10.6% | 34 |
| 2 | Tyres | 8.7% | 28 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.9% | 22 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.5% | 21 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.0% | 13 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.4% | 11 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 87 | 5.8% |
| 60-90k | 113 | 6.2% |
| 90-120k | 76 | 13.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 64 | 4.7% |
| 2022 | 66 | 6.1% |
| 2023 | 66 | 6.1% |
| 2024 | 58 | 12.1% |
| 2025 | 67 | 10.4% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Lancer
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 7.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (7.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (2.8% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (2.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 2002 Mitsubishi Lancers pass their MOT?
92.2% of the 321 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.2% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (2.8%).
Does the 2002 Lancer get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.8% in the 30-60k band to 13.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 321 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.