2016 Mitsubishi Lancer — MOT failures & pass rate
311 MOT tests on the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer are in this dataset, and 91.3% of them passed. Against small family cars of a similar age (13.1% fail rate), the 2016 Lancer comes out 4.4pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.8%) and emissions & environmental (3.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and headlamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 19 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 14.6% versus 4.2%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 11.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 11.1% in 2021 to 8.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.8% | 15 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 3.9% | 12 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.3% | 7 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.9% | 6 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.3% | 4 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 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 | 19 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 6 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 6 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 5 |
| 5 | Side repeaters | 4 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 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 | Brakes | 11.6% | 36 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.7% | 27 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 19 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.5% | 17 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.5% | 17 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.8% | 15 |
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 | 48 | 4.2% |
| 60-90k | 111 | 4.5% |
| 90-120k | 85 | 10.6% |
| 120-150k | 48 | 14.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 81 | 11.1% |
| 2022 | 74 | 9.5% |
| 2023 | 65 | 9.2% |
| 2024 | 44 | 2.3% |
| 2025 | 47 | 8.5% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Lancer
On a 2016 Lancer, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (4.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (3.9% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Body, structure & corrosion (2.3% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2016 Mitsubishi Lancers pass their MOT?
91.3% of the 311 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.8% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (3.9%).
Does the 2016 Lancer get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.2% in the 30-60k band to 14.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 311 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.