Mitsubishi Lancer (2009)
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
CarHunch analysed 1,967 real MOT records for the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer.
Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer's first-time pass rate of 78.5% sits just below the UK average of 80%, but the real concern here is that 41.1% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—well above acceptable. Petrol versions hold up noticeably better at 80.4% pass rate, while diesel models lag at 75.1%, suggesting the petrol engines are the more reliable choice for this generation.
At a median mileage of 60,591 miles for a 15-year-old car, these Lancers have been moderately used, yet they average 3.33 failures per test alongside 22.3 advisories, indicating persistent minor wear and accumulated small issues rather than catastrophic problems. If you're considering one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on brake components, suspension wear, and exhaust systems—the advisory count suggests these are where age catches up—and seriously favour petrol over diesel examples.
The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer has a decent first-time pass rate (78.6%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.
These stats describe 1,967 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.
What tends to go wrong
Across 1,967 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009.
See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches
Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,967 Mitsubishi Lancer cars.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 5.4 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
Before you buy a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
Based on MOT data from 1,967 vehicles — here's what to check.
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Check the full MOT history.
41.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded -
recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle. -
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Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price.
Inspection
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Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically.
History
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (65%) | 1,270 | 80.5% | 3.03 |
| Diesel (35%) | 697 | 75.1% | 3.89 |
Colour Breakdown
Based on 33,002 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Mileage Distribution
Most 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles fall between 44,226 and 76,195 miles.
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer — Still on the Road
Numbers are thinning — 49% of 2009 Mitsubishi Lancers are still active.
Numbers are declining — 887 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (49% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.
MOT History Averages
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Compare with another model
See how the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer stacks up against a rival.