2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed passed 92.0% of its 746 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail at 8.6%, so the 2021 Outlander Exceed sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in visibility, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (4.6%) and tyres (4.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and brake pads — wipers alone was recorded 39 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 Outlander Exceed fails 7.3% of the time in the 0-30k band and 6.7% at 60-90k, a spread of only 0.5 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 23.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 4.6% | 34 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.0% | 30 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 14 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.7% | 13 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.4% | 3 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 39 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 17 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 11 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 9 |
| 5 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 4 |
| 6 | Washers | 3 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 23.1% | 172 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.8% | 73 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.9% | 44 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.2% | 39 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.6% | 12 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.7% | 5 |
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 | 302 | 7.3% |
| 30-60k | 337 | 8.9% |
| 60-90k | 89 | 6.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 647 | 7.3% |
| Petrol | 99 | 13.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 361 | 8.3% |
| 2025 | 354 | 7.9% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Outlander Exceed
On a 2021 Outlander Exceed, visibility is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Visibility (4.6% 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.
- 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.9% 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 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceeds pass their MOT?
92.0% of the 746 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed?
Visibility, recorded in 4.6% of tests, followed by tyres (4.0%).
Does the 2021 Outlander Exceed get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.3% in the 0-30k band to 6.7% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 746 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.