2006 Mitsubishi Lancer: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer than on all cars registered in 2006.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes11.5× usual
  Mitsubishi Lancer

  12.6% All 2006 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 0.3% of all 2006 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 bushes and joints5.4× usual
  Mitsubishi Lancer

  6.5% All 2006 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.3% of all 2006 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 links8.5× usual
  Mitsubishi Lancer

  3.4% All 2006 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 0.3% of all 2006 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 light3.4× usual
  Mitsubishi Lancer

  4.1% All 2006 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.1% of all 2006 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.

• Corroded fuel pipes3.6× usual
  Mitsubishi Lancer

  2.5% All 2006 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2006 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.

Common 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  45% 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
  32% 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
  30% 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
  24% 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
  13% 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.

• Rust and bodywork
  10% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 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 11.5× as often on the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.4× as often on the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar links? (Flagged at MOT 8.5× as often on the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?