2015 Mitsubishi Outlander — MOT failures & pass rate
75,723 MOT tests on the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander are in this dataset, and 84.6% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 15.8%, so the 2015 Outlander sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.0%) and brakes (6.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, position lamp and headlamp aim — brake pads alone was recorded 2,393 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.1% in the 0-30k band and 16.8% in the 150k+ band, a 8.8-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.9pp more often than hybrid ones (18.6% vs 14.8%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 23.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 11.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.0% | 5,330 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.4% | 4,843 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.6% | 3,460 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.0% | 3,052 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 2,231 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.5% | 1,105 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 2,393 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 2,201 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,787 |
| 4 | Wipers | 1,602 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 1,594 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 1,314 |
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 | 23.4% | 17,680 |
| 2 | Tyres | 23.2% | 17,533 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.3% | 8,586 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.4% | 7,093 |
| 5 | Steering | 4.1% | 3,087 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.8% | 2,862 |
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 | 1,938 | 8.1% |
| 30-60k | 18,805 | 11.5% |
| 60-90k | 28,360 | 15.7% |
| 90-120k | 16,409 | 18.6% |
| 120-150k | 6,495 | 18.9% |
| 150k+ | 3,708 | 16.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 63,063 | 14.8% |
| Diesel | 12,540 | 18.6% |
| Electric | 46 | 13.0% |
| Petrol | 45 | 17.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,813 | 11.7% |
| 2022 | 14,947 | 13.0% |
| 2023 | 15,287 | 15.7% |
| 2024 | 15,426 | 17.3% |
| 2025 | 15,250 | 19.0% |
What to check before buying a 2015 Outlander
On a 2015 Outlander, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (7.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.4% 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.
- Tyres (4.6% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2015 Mitsubishi Outlanders pass their MOT?
84.6% of the 75,723 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.0% of tests, followed by brakes (6.4%).
Does the 2015 Outlander get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.1% in the 0-30k band to 16.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 75,723 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.