2021 Mitsubishi Outlander — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander passed 89.6% of its 959 recorded MOT tests. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (8.0% fail rate), the 2021 Outlander comes out 2.4pp worse. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.0%) and visibility (4.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and headlamp — wipers alone was recorded 61 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 Outlander fails 10.1% of the time in the 0-30k band and 7.9% at 60-90k, a spread of only 2.3 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 24.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.0% | 48 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.8% | 46 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.7% | 45 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.6% | 15 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.7% | 7 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.5% | 5 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 61 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 22 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 21 |
| 4 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 18 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 7 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 5 |
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 | 24.2% | 232 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.4% | 138 |
| 3 | Other defects | 8.2% | 79 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.5% | 43 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.2% | 21 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.0% | 10 |
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 | 424 | 10.1% |
| 30-60k | 420 | 11.2% |
| 60-90k | 89 | 7.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 599 | 10.0% |
| Petrol | 356 | 11.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 502 | 12.6% |
| 2025 | 420 | 7.9% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Outlander
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.0% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.0% 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 (4.8% 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 (4.7% 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 2021 Mitsubishi Outlanders pass their MOT?
89.6% of the 959 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Tyres, recorded in 5.0% of tests, followed by visibility (4.8%).
Does the 2021 Outlander get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.1% in the 0-30k band to 7.9% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 959 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.