2012 Mitsubishi Outlander — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,494 MOT tests analysed for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, steering and brakes. Its pass rate of 77.5% was in line with the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (77.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 25.8% in the 150k+ group versus 6.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.5% | 639 |
| 2 | Steering | 8.0% | 601 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.0% | 526 |
| 4 | Suspension | 6.8% | 506 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.7% | 274 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.5% | 264 |
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 | 711 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 307 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 298 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 213 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 205 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 196 |
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 | 34.9% | 2,616 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.9% | 2,542 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.1% | 1,806 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.7% | 877 |
| 5 | Steering | 9.6% | 722 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.8% | 659 |
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 | 47 | 6.4% |
| 30-60k | 691 | 14.3% |
| 60-90k | 2,230 | 20.0% |
| 90-120k | 2,746 | 25.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,242 | 24.8% |
| 150k+ | 538 | 25.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 7,443 | 22.5% |
| Petrol | 51 | 17.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,602 | 18.4% |
| 2022 | 1,564 | 20.9% |
| 2023 | 1,554 | 24.4% |
| 2024 | 1,446 | 24.6% |
| 2025 | 1,328 | 24.8% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Outlander
Before buying a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 8.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (8.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Steering (8.0% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Brakes (7.0% 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 2012 Mitsubishi Outlanders pass their MOT?
77.5% of the 7,494 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.5% of tests, followed by steering (8.0%).
Does the 2012 Outlander get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.4% in the 0-30k band to 25.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,494 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.