2013 Mitsubishi Outlander — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 13,427 MOT tests, the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander recorded a 77.8% pass rate. That is 2.1 percentage points worse than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 20.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.2%) and suspension (10.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, track rod end and stop lamp — position lamp alone was recorded 776 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 7.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 26.9% once past 150k — 3.8× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 29.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 18.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.2% | 1,636 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.0% | 1,339 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.9% | 1,060 |
| 4 | Steering | 4.9% | 663 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 453 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.3% | 449 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 776 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 771 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 627 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 534 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 486 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 396 |
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 | 29.0% | 3,890 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.3% | 3,399 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.7% | 3,318 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.8% | 1,446 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.9% | 1,061 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 987 |
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 | 126 | 7.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,424 | 14.3% |
| 60-90k | 4,663 | 20.8% |
| 90-120k | 4,620 | 24.0% |
| 120-150k | 2,020 | 26.8% |
| 150k+ | 572 | 26.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,713 | 18.1% |
| 2022 | 2,797 | 21.3% |
| 2023 | 2,752 | 22.8% |
| 2024 | 2,637 | 24.1% |
| 2025 | 2,528 | 25.2% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Outlander
On a 2013 Outlander, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.0% 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 (7.9% 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 2013 Mitsubishi Outlanders pass their MOT?
77.8% of the 13,427 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.2% of tests, followed by suspension (10.0%).
Does the 2013 Outlander get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.1% in the 0-30k band to 26.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 13,427 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.