2009 Mitsubishi Outlander — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,452 MOT tests analysed for the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 71.0% was below the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (73.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.1% in the 150k+ group versus 14.5% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.4% | 1,362 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 1,238 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.6% | 903 |
| 4 | Steering | 9.0% | 852 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.7% | 543 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.1% | 484 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 960 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 668 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 604 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 496 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 415 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 397 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 44.0% | 4,159 |
| 2 | Brakes | 40.9% | 3,867 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.1% | 2,651 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.9% | 1,980 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.6% | 1,383 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.1% | 1,329 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 227 | 14.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,147 | 26.0% |
| 90-120k | 2,615 | 29.2% |
| 120-150k | 3,132 | 29.8% |
| 150k+ | 2,295 | 31.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 8,682 | 29.5% |
| Petrol | 770 | 24.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,226 | 27.5% |
| 2022 | 2,133 | 28.4% |
| 2023 | 1,974 | 29.1% |
| 2024 | 1,732 | 31.2% |
| 2025 | 1,387 | 29.6% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Outlander
Before buying a 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 14.4% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (14.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (13.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2009 Mitsubishi Outlanders pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 9,452 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Suspension, recorded in 14.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.1%).
Does the 2009 Outlander get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.5% in the 30-60k band to 31.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,452 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.