Used car guide

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Mitsubishi Outlanders, from 1,046 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,046MOT tests in 2025
63%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
8,400typical miles a year
4.2×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Mitsubishi Outlanders than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Track rod ends4.2× usual
    Mitsubishi Outlander
    20.8% All 2012 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.8%, against 2.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.1× usual
    Mitsubishi Outlander
    16.8% All 2012 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Sub-frame3.1× usual
    Mitsubishi Outlander
    15.6% All 2012 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.3% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Ball joint dust cover4.2× usual
    Mitsubishi Outlander
    12.3% All 2012 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Coil springs2× usual
    Mitsubishi Outlander
    19.3% All 2012 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

By area

The share of 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    61% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    41% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    30% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    21% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    11% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    11% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20212,495Tyres 25%
20205,304Tyres 26%
20198,674Tyres 27%
201810,790Tyres 25%
20178,824Tyres 26%
201610,938Tyres 27%
201512,549Brakes 31%
20146,984Suspension 37%
20131,947Suspension 50%
20111,166Suspension 62%
20101,304Suspension 62%
20091,049Suspension 64%
20081,182Suspension 65%
2007802Suspension 68%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Mitsubishi Outlanders registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score