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Mitsubishi Lancer (2002)

308 real MOT outcomes analysed • 85.3% first-time pass rate

2002 Mitsubishi Lancer

CarHunch analysed 308 real MOT records for the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Generally reliable 5.3% above UK average
85.3%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
50,637
typical mileage
33,108–74,805 middle half
8.8%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.58
avg MOT failures per car
over 8.6 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Mitsubishi Lancer

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (99%) 305 85.4% 1.59
Diesel (1%) 2 87.5% 0.5
Other (0%) 1 50% 2

Mileage Distribution

Most 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

33,108
low mileage
50,637
typical
74,805
high mileage

Half of all 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles fall between 33,108 and 74,805 miles.

2002 Mitsubishi Lancer — Still on the Road

63 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 70% of the peak remain.

87 63 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

8.6
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.58
Avg failures per vehicle
5.7
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 37.9%
    Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive
  • 36.7%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 35.5%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 32.8%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 29.1%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 24.6%
    Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive
  • 18.2%
    Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits
  • 15.8%
    Oil leak

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Mitsubishi Lancer?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Mitsubishi Lancer:

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011