2004 Mitsubishi Outlander — MOT failures & pass rate
1,509 MOT tests on the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander are in this dataset, and 69.3% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 28.1% of the time, so this is 2.6pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.2%) and suspension (16.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, headlamp aim and track rod end — pins and bushes alone was recorded 162 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.3% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 28.7% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 49.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.2% | 275 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.6% | 250 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.7% | 161 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.3% | 141 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.0% | 121 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.6% | 85 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 162 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 140 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 132 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 125 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 109 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 74 |
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 | 49.7% | 750 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.8% | 449 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.8% | 420 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 26.1% | 394 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.9% | 316 |
| 6 | Other defects | 20.1% | 303 |
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 | 115 | 18.3% |
| 60-90k | 384 | 31.0% |
| 90-120k | 571 | 32.9% |
| 120-150k | 300 | 32.0% |
| 150k+ | 129 | 28.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 472 | 31.1% |
| 2022 | 342 | 28.9% |
| 2023 | 312 | 32.0% |
| 2024 | 209 | 29.7% |
| 2025 | 174 | 31.6% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Outlander
On a 2004 Outlander, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.6% 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 (10.7% 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 2004 Mitsubishi Outlanders pass their MOT?
69.3% of the 1,509 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.2% of tests, followed by suspension (16.6%).
Does the 2004 Outlander get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.3% in the 30-60k band to 28.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,509 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.