2018 Mitsubishi Outlander 2.4L Hybrid electric (clean) · YO68 AVC

A recurring exhaust mounting concern runs through the recent testing record of this 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander, with the same defect noted at both the December 2025 and December 2024 inspections. In each case, the vehicle passed overall, but the persistent advisory on the rear exhaust mounting suggests the component has not been replaced since first flagged and is likely deteriorating. The earlier December 2023 test added twin advisories for front tyre wear, both inner and outer edges worn to around 4mm, indicating potential alignment or suspension geometry wear that has not been re-tested since. The earlier history is notably cleaner, with no advisories recorded in December 2022 or December 2021, suggesting the issues currently surfacing are relatively recent developments rather than long-standing chronic defects. There are no recorded failures across the five tests available, which keeps the overall roadworthiness profile in a middling position rather than a concerning one, but the repeating rear exhaust advisory warrants mechanical attention. Against the 2018 registration date, the 97,257 recorded miles equate to roughly 12,157 miles per year over the vehicle's life, which sits well above the typical mileage accumulation for a car of this age and points to consistent, heavier-than-average use. There are no large gaps in the annual MOT record to suggest extended periods off the road, which means the engine, transmission, brakes, and suspension components have been worked continuously rather than being subject to the additional risks of standing still. Higher annual mileage of this kind tends to accelerate wear on consumables such as brake pads and discs, clutch components on the manual variants, and suspension bushes, springs, and anti-roll bar linkages, while also bringing forward the point at which original rubber components such as engine mountings and driveshaft gaiters begin to deteriorate. For a prospective buyer, the rear exhaust mounting defect flagged in two consecutive tests is the primary item to investigate physically. A worn or broken exhaust rubber mount will typically produce a clonking or metallic rattle from beneath the rear of the car when starting, when releasing the throttle, or when traversing speed humps, and the exhaust pipe itself may visibly hang lower or shift when rocked by hand. On a test drive, listen for any rattling that increases over uneven road surfaces and check underneath for any heat shield movement, as loose shields often accompany degraded rubber mountings. Replacing the rubber mount is a relatively inexpensive repair, but if the exhaust has been allowed to contact the underbody through movement, additional damage to the pipe joints or catalysts may have occurred. The 2023 front tyre wear pattern, with both edges worn simultaneously to a similar depth, is more diagnostically interesting and worth probing. Even-edged wear on both inner and outer sides of a tyre typically indicates the camber is out of specification, which in an SUV of this age and mileage could point to worn front suspension components such as wishbone bushes, strut top mounts, or coil springs settling unevenly. During a test drive, pay close attention to steering feel: any pulling to one side, excessive wandering, or a vague on-centre response would support a geometry concern. Also listen for clonking over bumps from the front end, which would indicate worn anti-roll bar drop links or wishbone bushes, and inspect the inner and outer shoulders of the front tyres for stepped wear. Finally, given the high mileage, the brake discs and pads warrant a visual check for lipping and remaining friction material, and the CV joint gaiters should be inspected for splits, as these are common failure points on Outlanders covering this kind of annual distance.