Oil dilution / DPF regeneration
usually 40,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Oil level rises — short trips
Fix: Shorter oil intervals, longer drives
€0–150
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Mitsubishi Lancer
2007–2017
2
engines covered
11
known faults
6,548
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
7
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Mitsubishi Lancer was built from 2007 to 2017.
For this generation we cover 2 engines and 11 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is CVT belt slip / overheating (Jatco): it usually appears at 80,000–180,000 km and costs €1,500–4,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (16.8 %), suspension (11.2 %), brakes (9.8 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: steering. It fails less often than average on: suspension, tyres and wheels, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.2 / 2.4 DI-D (Mitsubishi 4N1) | Diesel | Chain | 0W-30 / 5W-30 · ACEA C2 · ~4.9 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.0 TDI PD (EA188, 8v / 16v) | Diesel | Belt · 120,000 km / every 60 mo | 5W-30 · VW 507.00 / 505.01 · ~4.3 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults by engine
1.6 / 1.8 / 2.2 / 2.4 DI-D (Mitsubishi 4N1)
Timing chain stretch (early 4N14)
usually 100,000–200,000 km · High risk
engine codes: 4N14
Signs: Rattle, timing codes
Fix: Replace the chain kit
€900–1,800
EGR valve
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
€200–600
2.0 TDI PD (EA188, 8v / 16v)
Cracked cylinder head (16v BKD / AZV)
usually 120,000–250,000 km · High risk
engine codes: BKD, AZV, BMN, BMR, BUY, BMA
Signs: Unexplained coolant loss, overheating, bubbles in the expansion tank
Fix: Pressure test; replace the cylinder head
€1,200–2,500
Camshaft and lifter wear (8v BMM / BMP / BKP)
usually 120,000–220,000 km · High risk
engine codes: BMM, BMP, BKP, BVE, BRT, BSY
Signs: Ticking, loss of power, metal in oil
Fix: Replace camshaft, rockers and lifters
€800–1,500
Unit injectors
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Misfire, smoke, hard start
Fix: Test and replace injectors
€600–1,600
DPF (2006+ versions)
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
model years 2006–2010 only
Signs: DPF light, regeneration problems
Fix: Cleaning or replacement
€300–1,500
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Dual-mass flywheel
usually 150,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rattle at idle, vibration pulling away
Fix: Replace with clutch
€700–1,400
X-Tronic / Xtronic CVT (Jatco)
CVT belt slip / overheating (Jatco)
usually 80,000–180,000 km · High risk
Signs: Whine, judder, shudder, limp mode when hot
Fix: Fluid change every 60,000 km; valve body or rebuild
€1,500–4,000
TC-SST / DCT (wet, Getrag)
DCT mechatronic / solenoids
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Harsh shifts
Fix: Repair; keep oil changes at 60,000 km
€800–2,000
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.2 / 2.4 DI-D (Mitsubishi 4N1) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| DPF health check (soot / ash load)Emissions | every 20,000 km | €0–60 |
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Fuel filterFuel | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €40–110 |
| Glow plugsEngine | every 100,000 km | €120–300 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 6,548 tests.
| thousand km | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 6.7 % | 9.8 % | 12.3 % | 15.6 % | 16.9 % |
| Suspension | 7.0 % | 11.2 % | 17.0 % | 23.6 % | 25.7 % |
| Steering | 5.0 % | 7.5 % | 9.4 % | 10.1 % | 9.9 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 3.4 % | 4.3 % | 6.1 % | 9.8 % | 9.2 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 10.9 % | 16.8 % | 24.8 % | 27.2 % | 29.5 % |
| Body and corrosion | 1.9 % | 2.9 % | 5.8 % | 7.7 % | 8.6 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 3.6 % | 5.7 % | 7.2 % | 8.6 % | 9.9 % |
Roadworthiness tests in the Netherlands by age
Share of this model's Dutch fleet that had a defect in each system at a roadworthiness test (APK) in 2025. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and fuel. Sample: 2,299 cars.
| age (years) | 12–14 | 15–19 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 4.7 % | 6.0 % |
| Suspension | 6.2 % | 10.8 % |
| Steering | 13.1 % | 11.4 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 17.3 % | 17.5 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 23.8 % | 33.2 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.1 % | 0.8 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 1.8 % | 5.4 % |
Most common engine versions in the EU
New cars of this generation registered in the EU, Iceland and Norway 2010–2025: 40,846, of which 90 in Croatia. The share shows how common each version is.
| Version | Share | Years | CO₂ | Fuel use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 Petrol1.6 (1,590 cm³) · 86 kW (117 hp) · Petrol | 36.3 % | 2011–2017 | 131 g/km | — |
| 1.8 Petrol1.8 (1,798 cm³) · Petrol | 15.6 % | 2010–2013 | — | — |
| 1.5 Petrol1.5 (1,499 cm³) · Petrol | 12.8 % | 2010–2011 | — | — |
| 2.0 TDI PD (EA188, 8v / 16v)2.0 (1,968 cm³) · Diesel | 6.3 % | 2010–2013 | — | — |
| 1.8 Petrol1.8 (1,798 cm³) · 103 kW (140 hp) · Petrol | 5.3 % | 2011–2017 | 153 g/km | — |
| 1.6 Petrol1.6 (1,590 cm³) · Petrol | 4.9 % | 2010–2016 | — | — |
| 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.2 / 2.4 DI-D (Mitsubishi 4N1)1.8 (1,798 cm³) · 110 kW (150 hp) · Diesel | 3.9 % | 2011–2015 | — | — |
| PetrolPetrol | 3.5 % | 2010–2014 | — | — |
| 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.2 / 2.4 DI-D (Mitsubishi 4N1)1.8 (1,798 cm³) · 85 kW (116 hp) · Diesel | 3.4 % | 2011–2016 | — | — |
| 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.2 / 2.4 DI-D (Mitsubishi 4N1)1.8 (1,798 cm³) · Diesel | 2.5 % | 2010–2015 | — | — |
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 459 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (7). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Airbag Airbag may release shrapnel if deployed19/11/2015 · R/2015/199
- Lights ECU malfunction may cause systems to become inoperable28/09/2015 · R/2015/157
- Fire risk Loss of power steering assistance28/11/2014 · R/2014/124
- Lights Clutch may fail18/08/2010 · R/2010/080
- Fuel system Fuel may leak29/12/2009 · R/2009/094
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Lack of brake servo assistance15/07/2009 · R/2009/038
- Engine / loss of power Oil may leak14/03/2007 · R/2006/194
Common questions
Does the Mitsubishi Lancer have a timing chain or a timing belt?
1.6 / 1.8 / 2.2 / 2.4 DI-D (Mitsubishi 4N1): chain; 2.0 TDI PD (EA188, 8v / 16v): belt · 120,000 km / every 60 mo.
What are the known problems with the Mitsubishi Lancer?
The faults with the highest risk: CVT belt slip / overheating (Jatco) (80,000–180,000 km, €1,500–4,000); cracked cylinder head (16v BKD / AZV) (120,000–250,000 km, €1,200–2,500); timing chain stretch (early 4N14) (100,000–200,000 km, €900–1,800); camshaft and lifter wear (8v BMM / BMP / BKP) (120,000–220,000 km, €800–1,500). The full list by engine is on this page.
What does the Mitsubishi Lancer most often fail its roadworthiness test on?
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (16.8 %), suspension (11.2 %), brakes (9.8 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: steering. It fails less often than average on: suspension, tyres and wheels, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion.
What should you check when buying a used Mitsubishi Lancer?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN that the recalls have been done (7 have been published for this model). If the engine has a timing belt, ask for the invoice for its replacement: with no proof, assume it has not been done. On the test drive, watch for these signs: whine, judder, shudder, limp mode when hot; unexplained coolant loss, overheating, bubbles in the expansion tank. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Audi A3 (8P) 2003–2012Škoda Octavia II 2004–2013Volkswagen Caddy III 2004–2020Mitsubishi Outlander (2012+) 2012–Volkswagen Golf V 2003–2008Audi A6 (C6) 2004–2011Audi A4 (B7) 2004–2008Volkswagen Passat B6 2005–2010
Other Mitsubishi models
Mitsubishi Outlander II 2007–2012Mitsubishi Pajero 2006–2021Mitsubishi L200 IV 2005–2015Mitsubishi ASX I 2010–2023Mitsubishi Colt 2004–2013Mitsubishi Space Star 2013–Mitsubishi L200 V 2015–Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2017–
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026