Mitsubishi Evolution Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mitsubishi Evolution car check
Is the Mitsubishi Evolution reliable? We analysed 2,801 real MOT tests across 291 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mitsubishi Evolution? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mitsubishi Evolution 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 Evolution.
Mitsubishi Evolution Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mitsubishi Evolution. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mitsubishi Evolution MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mitsubishi Evolution to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mitsubishi Evolution Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mitsubishi Evolution fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mitsubishi Evolution Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mitsubishi Evolution owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mitsubishi Evolution MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mitsubishi Evolution year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 140 | 77.1% | 98,961 | 124,088 | 136,376 |
| 2007 | 168 | 83.9% | 36,912 | 60,430 | 89,522 |
| 2006 | 260 | 85.0% | 36,280 | 54,704 | 71,849 |
| 2005 | 224 | 83.5% | 38,504 | 59,078 | 109,593 |
| 2004 | 194 | 75.3% | 56,016 | 80,876 | 137,672 |
| 2003 | 272 | 79.8% | 42,953 | 65,124 | 111,052 |
| 2002 | 194 | 88.1% | 36,870 | 61,234 | 79,834 |
| 2001 | 217 | 82.0% | 43,885 | 57,329 | 82,636 |
| 2000 | 161 | 75.2% | 63,211 | 72,613 | 89,840 |
| 1999 | 313 | 76.0% | 60,102 | 81,327 | 98,540 |
| 1998 | 261 | 80.8% | 51,776 | 79,894 | 100,180 |
| 1997 | 107 | 75.7% | 85,734 | 106,401 | 122,800 |
| 1996 | 108 | 81.5% | 65,903 | 82,996 | 113,894 |
How Long Does a Mitsubishi Evolution Last?
Based on 291 Mitsubishi Evolution vehicles on UK roads.
Mitsubishi Evolution Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mitsubishi Evolution MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Mitsubishi Evolution
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
88.1% MOT pass rate from 194 tests
75.2% MOT pass rate from 161 tests
The best year to buy a used Mitsubishi Evolution is 2002, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.1% across 194 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mitsubishi Evolution Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Evolution THIS CAR | 80.6% | 2,801 | 73,552 mi | 30 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 |
| Morris 6 Cwt Van | 74.9% | 5,035 | 46,027 mi | 63 yrs |
Compared to the Mitsubishi L200 (74.1% pass rate) and the Mitsubishi Shogun (71.9% pass rate), the Mitsubishi Evolution outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Mitsubishi Evolution 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 EvolutionShould you buy a used Mitsubishi Evolution?
The Mitsubishi Evolution has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.6% across 2,801 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 Evolution are exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (94 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (76), and exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (68). 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 Evolution owner drives around 2,390 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 Evolution models stay on UK roads for around 30 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.