2020 Mitsubishi Outlander — MOT failures & pass rate
4,523 MOT tests on the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander are in this dataset, and 90.7% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 8.8%, so the 2020 Outlander sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.4%) and visibility (4.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 207 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.8% in the 0-30k band and 11.5% in the 90-120k band, a 4.8-point spread.
Split by fuel, petrol examples fail 1.6pp more often than hybrid ones (10.4% vs 8.8%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 4.4% of tests failed in 2022 against 10.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.4% | 199 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.2% | 192 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.2% | 190 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.8% | 79 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.4% | 20 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 18 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 207 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 97 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 85 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 59 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 50 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 49 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 22.6% | 1,024 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.6% | 660 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.6% | 342 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.2% | 190 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.6% | 116 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 50 |
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 | 1,732 | 6.8% |
| 30-60k | 2,078 | 10.8% |
| 60-90k | 585 | 11.1% |
| 90-120k | 104 | 11.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 3,137 | 8.8% |
| Petrol | 1,380 | 10.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 90 | 4.4% |
| 2023 | 1,438 | 8.0% |
| 2024 | 1,484 | 9.3% |
| 2025 | 1,501 | 10.9% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Outlander
On a 2020 Outlander, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.4% 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.
- Visibility (4.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (4.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2020 Mitsubishi Outlanders pass their MOT?
90.7% of the 4,523 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Tyres, recorded in 4.4% of tests, followed by visibility (4.2%).
Does the 2020 Outlander get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.8% in the 0-30k band to 11.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,523 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.