2005 Mitsubishi Lancer: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer than on all cars registered in 2005.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes5.9× usual
  Mitsubishi Lancer

  10% All 2005 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.4% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Track rod ends1.8× usual
  Mitsubishi Lancer

  10.6% All 2005 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 2.7% of all 2005 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.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints3.9× usual
  Mitsubishi Lancer

  5.8% All 2005 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Anti-roll bar links6.5× usual
  Mitsubishi Lancer

  2.6% All 2005 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Rear fog light2.8× usual
  Mitsubishi Lancer

  3.6% All 2005 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.2% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  39% 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
  26% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  25% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Tyres
  22% 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.

• 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 5.9× as often on the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?