2005 Mitsubishi Lancer — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,094 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 78.0% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.3% in the 150k+ group versus 8.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 922 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.0% | 780 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.3% | 444 |
| 4 | Steering | 5.3% | 377 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.3% | 304 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.2% | 299 |
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 | 407 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 328 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 301 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 295 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 262 |
| 6 | Wipers | 255 |
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 | 31.5% | 2,233 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.0% | 1,773 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.9% | 1,551 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.5% | 884 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 856 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.8% | 839 |
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 | 243 | 8.2% |
| 30-60k | 1,285 | 16.2% |
| 60-90k | 2,495 | 19.4% |
| 90-120k | 1,805 | 25.0% |
| 120-150k | 913 | 31.3% |
| 150k+ | 341 | 32.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,806 | 22.5% |
| 2022 | 1,611 | 22.4% |
| 2023 | 1,370 | 21.5% |
| 2024 | 1,262 | 22.4% |
| 2025 | 1,045 | 20.6% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Lancer
Before buying a 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.0% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.0% 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.
- Brakes (6.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2005 Mitsubishi Lancers pass their MOT?
78.0% of the 7,094 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.0% of tests, followed by suspension (11.0%).
Does the 2005 Lancer get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.2% in the 0-30k band to 32.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,094 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.