CarVerify

Mitsubishi Evo Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Mitsubishi Evo car check

Is the Mitsubishi Evo reliable? We analysed 5,828 real MOT tests across 539 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Mitsubishi Evo? Enter the reg for a free check:

Free basic check Reports from £4.99 Results in seconds
Data last updated: · Based on 5,828 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
81.6%
Typical Mileage
70,987mi
Annual Mileage
2,296mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
32yrs

The Mitsubishi Evo is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mitsubishi Evo.

Mitsubishi Evo Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Mitsubishi Evo. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Mitsubishi Evo MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Mitsubishi Evo to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

84.1%
2010
81.1%
2009
82.8%
2008
81.6%
2007
84%
2006
81.7%
2005
76.8%
2004
82.1%
2003
79.7%
2002
83%
2001
84.3%
2000
81.2%
1999
83.3%
1998
79.8%
1997
74.2%
1996
81%
1994

Mitsubishi Evo Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Mitsubishi Evo fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 195
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 141
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive 125
fog lamp not working 121
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 121
Brake pipe excessively corroded 77
position lamp(s) not working 77
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 76
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 63
Exhaust catalytic converter missing where one was fitted as standard 49

Mitsubishi Evo Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Mitsubishi Evo owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
723 mi/yr
Typical
2,296 mi/yr
Average
3,597 mi/yr
Heavy usage
5,045 mi/yr

Mitsubishi Evo MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mitsubishi Evo year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2010 69 84.1% 64,872 102,197 117,087
2009 143 81.1% 86,818 115,721 126,766
2008 204 82.8% 52,874 78,338 113,548
2007 315 81.6% 46,328 82,621 109,986
2006 376 84.0% 37,596 54,744 72,294
2005 465 81.7% 37,671 55,133 87,305
2004 311 76.8% 44,401 67,572 101,500
2003 867 82.1% 41,911 64,260 85,079
2002 138 79.7% 44,513 63,367 79,739
2001 352 83.0% 37,303 65,085 85,505
2000 586 84.3% 43,241 58,297 80,229
1999 809 81.2% 56,103 81,378 100,271
1998 366 83.3% 54,001 82,453 100,429
1997 94 79.8% 57,549 85,584 107,858
1996 271 74.2% 82,766 99,981 130,124
1994 58 81.0% 71,146 81,584 95,651

How Long Does a Mitsubishi Evo Last?

Based on 539 Mitsubishi Evo vehicles on UK roads.

Average
16.6 years
Median
17.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
32 years

Mitsubishi Evo Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Mitsubishi Evo MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
70,987 mi
75th Percentile
99,534 mi
95th Percentile
141,210 mi
Max Recorded
828,226 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Mitsubishi Evo

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2000

84.3% MOT pass rate from 586 tests

Year to avoid
1996

74.2% MOT pass rate from 271 tests

The best year to buy a used Mitsubishi Evo is 2000, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.3% across 586 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Mitsubishi Evo Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Mitsubishi Evo THIS CAR 81.6% 5,828 70,987 mi 32 yrs
Mitsubishi L200 74.1% 1,362,678 80,302 mi 29 yrs
Mitsubishi Shogun 71.9% 1,312,716 107,142 mi 37 yrs
Mitsubishi Colt 72.5% 950,325 59,666 mi 30 yrs
Yamaha Yn 79.8% 3,017 6,384 mi 13 yrs

Compared to the Mitsubishi L200 (74.1% pass rate) and the Mitsubishi Shogun (71.9% pass rate), the Mitsubishi Evo outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Mitsubishi Evo you like?

Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.

Check a specific Mitsubishi Evo

Should you buy a used Mitsubishi Evo?

The Mitsubishi Evo has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.6% across 5,828 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Mitsubishi Evo are exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (195 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (141), and exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (125). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Mitsubishi Evo owner drives around 2,296 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Mitsubishi Evo models stay on UK roads for around 32 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Mitsubishi Evo — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mitsubishi Evo reliable?
Based on 5,828 MOT tests, the Mitsubishi Evo has a 81.6% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Mitsubishi Evo?
The most common MOT failures are exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, and exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Mitsubishi Evo do per year?
The typical Mitsubishi Evo does around 2,296 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Mitsubishi Evo last?
Most Mitsubishi Evo models stay on UK roads for around 32 years based on our analysis of 539 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Mitsubishi Evo?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Mitsubishi Evo?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Mitsubishi Evo is 2000 with a 84.3% pass rate across 586 tests.