2014 Mitsubishi Outlander — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 43,567 MOT tests, the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander recorded an 81.6% pass rate. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (18.0% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.4%) and brakes (7.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, brake pads and track rod end — position lamp alone was recorded 2,417 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 23.5% once past 150k — 2.9× the risk.
The electric cars hold up better: 16.9% fail against 21.0% for diesel, a 4.1-point gap across 33,881 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 27.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 14.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.4% | 4,111 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.3% | 3,163 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.2% | 2,695 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.7% | 2,045 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.8% | 1,216 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.7% | 1,177 |
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 | 2,417 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 1,490 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 1,345 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1,191 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 1,055 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 1,036 |
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 | 27.5% | 11,976 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.5% | 10,664 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.2% | 6,634 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.9% | 4,310 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 5.0% | 2,189 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.8% | 2,070 |
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 | 649 | 8.0% |
| 30-60k | 7,142 | 12.1% |
| 60-90k | 16,093 | 17.6% |
| 90-120k | 12,351 | 20.9% |
| 120-150k | 4,984 | 22.8% |
| 150k+ | 2,344 | 23.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | 19,721 | 16.9% |
| Diesel | 14,160 | 21.0% |
| Hybrid | 9,604 | 17.7% |
| Petrol | 70 | 21.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,498 | 14.2% |
| 2022 | 8,642 | 15.9% |
| 2023 | 8,821 | 19.1% |
| 2024 | 8,852 | 20.5% |
| 2025 | 8,754 | 22.2% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Outlander
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 9.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (9.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.3% 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.
- Suspension (6.2% 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 2014 Mitsubishi Outlanders pass their MOT?
81.6% of the 43,567 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.4% of tests, followed by brakes (7.3%).
Does the 2014 Outlander get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.0% in the 0-30k band to 23.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 43,567 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.