2011 Mitsubishi Outlander — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander passed 75.6% of its 9,010 recorded MOT tests. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 23.8%, so the 2011 Outlander sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, steering and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.9%) and steering (8.7%) 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 rigid brake pipes — track rod end alone was recorded 906 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.0% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 27.6% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 21.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.9% | 982 |
| 2 | Steering | 8.7% | 787 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.4% | 754 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.0% | 721 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.4% | 396 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.8% | 338 |
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 | 906 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 528 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 424 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 296 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 288 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 253 |
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 | 37.8% | 3,407 |
| 2 | Brakes | 35.8% | 3,228 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.6% | 2,308 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.9% | 1,161 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.5% | 949 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.5% | 942 |
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 | 421 | 15.0% |
| 60-90k | 1,879 | 19.7% |
| 90-120k | 3,277 | 25.9% |
| 120-150k | 2,301 | 26.0% |
| 150k+ | 1,103 | 27.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 8,953 | 24.4% |
| Petrol | 57 | 22.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,009 | 21.6% |
| 2022 | 1,915 | 22.7% |
| 2023 | 1,860 | 25.3% |
| 2024 | 1,696 | 26.1% |
| 2025 | 1,530 | 27.1% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Outlander
On a 2011 Outlander, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Steering (8.7% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Suspension (8.4% 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.
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 2011 Mitsubishi Outlanders pass their MOT?
75.6% of the 9,010 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.9% of tests, followed by steering (8.7%).
Does the 2011 Outlander get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.0% in the 30-60k band to 27.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,010 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.