2007 Mitsubishi Lancer — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer passed 76.4% of its 6,090 recorded MOT tests. That is 3.3 percentage points better than small family cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.1%) and suspension (11.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, position lamp and stop lamp — track rod end alone was recorded 307 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 32.8% versus 9.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 857 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.1% | 678 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.8% | 473 |
| 4 | Steering | 5.0% | 304 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.3% | 265 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.9% | 235 |
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 | 307 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 295 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 280 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 270 |
| 5 | Linkage | 213 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 210 |
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 | 33.0% | 2,012 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.6% | 1,800 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.7% | 1,319 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 819 |
| 5 | Other defects | 12.7% | 776 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.8% | 717 |
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 | 270 | 9.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,349 | 17.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,827 | 22.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,596 | 26.6% |
| 120-150k | 713 | 32.0% |
| 150k+ | 326 | 32.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 6,043 | 23.6% |
| Diesel | 47 | 23.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,525 | 23.3% |
| 2022 | 1,367 | 23.8% |
| 2023 | 1,227 | 23.4% |
| 2024 | 1,045 | 23.5% |
| 2025 | 926 | 24.4% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Lancer
On a 2007 Lancer, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.1% 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 (7.8% 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 2007 Mitsubishi Lancers pass their MOT?
76.4% of the 6,090 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by suspension (11.1%).
Does the 2007 Lancer get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.3% in the 0-30k band to 32.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,090 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.