Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV vs Toyota RAV4: which is the better used buy?
On DVSA MOT records the Toyota RAV4 is the more reliable used buy: measured against cars of the same age, it comes out 2.8 percentage points ahead of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV on first-time MOT passes. Its raw pass rate is the lower of the two (82.6% against 83.8%) because Toyota RAV4s on the road are older on average: cars of their age pass 77.7% of the time, against 81.6% for cars the age of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV fleet. That comparison covers 19,333 real tests across every generation on the road, not a survey. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure.
MOT first-time pass rate
Counted from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test records. “vs age-matched” compares each model against what the national fleet scores at the same age — the only fair better-or-worse number, because an older fleet fails more whatever its build quality.
| Model | Pass rate | Age-matched national | Difference | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV | 83.8% | 81.6% | +2.1 | 5,432 |
| Toyota RAV4 | 82.6% | 77.7% | +4.9 | 13,901 |
These figures count every generation still on the road, not only the one described below: mostly Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs registered 2014–2021 and Toyota RAV4s registered 2002–2022.
Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). National first-time pass rate 77.3%. Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a first-time pass; DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. The difference is worked out before rounding, so it can be 0.1 away from the two rounded figures beside it.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
2014–2021 plug-in hybrid · large plug-in hybrid SUV
The early Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has an unusually long DVSA recall record: cars built from late 2013 to March 2016 are inside up to four large recalls, including a parking-brake caliper boot (R/2018/180), an engine ECU relay that could stall the car (R/2018/019) and a fault that can leave the car without drive (R/2017/183). What Car?’s used review (May 2021) ranked it 13th of 14 hybrids in its reliability survey. Mitsubishi’s current terms give the traction battery 8 years or 100,000 miles from the 2016 model year.
What goes wrong
Safety recall R/2018/180recall
Parking brake caliper shaft boots incorrectly sealed51,154 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 11 September 2012 and 12 April 2016Large recall — 51,154 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.Safety recall R/2018/019recall
ECU relay may overheat and cause ECU to malfunction28,059 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 5 December 2014 and 6 April 2016Large recall — 28,059 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.Cover — Mitsubishi UK’s warranty and traction-battery termsminor
Not a fault. Mitsubishi Motors in the UK gives a new car 5 years of cover (24 months unlimited mileage, then 62,500 miles to month 60) from first registration, and its current warranty manual adds 8 years or 100,000 miles on the Outlander PHEV’s main traction battery from the 2016 model year. The 12-volt battery has 3 years.All; the terms depend on the model year and registration dateCheck: Mitsubishi says cover depends on the model year, the date and type of registration, so ask a Mitsubishi dealer for this VIN rather than assuming eight years. A 2014 or early 2015 car was sold under earlier terms: What Car? says the standard warranty was three years until Mitsubishi raised it to five in 2015.Battery range display, charging flap and warning beepsminor
What Car? says some owners noticed the battery range on the display seemingly fall over time, which Mitsubishi puts down to the car learning how it is driven and adapting the predicted range; that the large flap over the charging sockets has been known to bend or lose clips; and that the car makes an unusual number of warning beeps and some owners had Bluetooth problems with iPhones.2014–2021 Outlander PHEVCheck: Fully charge the car and compare the range shown with the seller’s claim, close the charging flap several times, and pair your own phone.
- Typical asking price:
- not given as a fixed figure — the model guide shows the median and middle 80% of asking prices for the cars advertised on Autoza that day, when at least 10 qualify
- Fuel economy:
- No sourced real-world figure. What matters on a plug-in hybrid is the electric range on a full charge and the economy once the battery is flat; read both on the car you are looking at.
- Vehicle tax:
- £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. A car registered from April 2017 with a list price over £40,000 when new adds the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 (£640 in all). Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
- Best years:
- 2018, 2019
- Years to avoid:
- 2014, 2015
Toyota RAV4
XA50, 2019–2024 (Hybrid) · mid-size hybrid family SUV
The XA50 Toyota RAV4 (2019–2024), sold in the UK only as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, has a strong reliability record. Owners report occasional false pre-collision warnings and rear vent rattles on early cars, and some 2019 builds are covered by brake-booster and suspension-arm safety recalls. Best-buy years: 2021–2023. Worst: no single year stands out on DVSA MOT results.
What goes wrong
Safety recall R/2023/279recall
On affected vehicles there is a possibility that the DCM may not complete the shutdown process within a specific period of time when the ignition is turned off causing the DCM to not restart at the next ignition cycle and making the e-Call function unavailable.27,327 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 17 January 2023 and 18 July 2023Large recall — 27,327 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.Safety recall R/2021/315recall
The emergency calling system (ECALL) may not function when required26,575 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 14 July 2020 and 15 March 2021Large recall — 26,575 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.Pre-collision system false alerts / phantom brakingmoderate
Sudden brief braking on open motorway or dual carriageway with no obstacle; "Pre-Collision Alert" warning appearing on clear roads; forward collision warning sounding without cause2019–2020 (pre-software update) · Free under Toyota software update — dealer apply at next serviceCheck: Ask the dealer whether the pre-collision system software has been updated. A quick 15-minute motorway stint during the test drive is the most direct check.Hybrid battery — very long-term degradationminor
Slightly reduced mpg; less frequent EV-mode trips; battery gauge dropping faster in cold weatherAll hybrids; typically year 8–10+ in UK conditions · 125,000+ miles (UK used-car context: rarely seen this high yet) · £3,000–£6,500 for battery replacement if it is out of warrantyCheck: Toyota's hybrid battery is covered by its Service Activated Warranty (3 years or 60,000 miles as standard on cars sold new from 1 June 2021, extendable to 10 years or 100,000 miles; earlier cars were sold with 5 years or 100,000 miles), which is renewed by each qualifying service at an authorised Toyota dealer — it is conditional, not automatic. Ask for the service record, and ask a Toyota dealer whether a service would bring the car back into cover.
- Typical asking price:
- not given as a fixed figure — the model guide shows the median and middle 80% of asking prices for the cars advertised on Autoza that day, when at least 10 qualify
- Fuel economy:
- 48–50 mpg official WLTP combined for the 2.5 Hybrid (Toyota UK specification sheet).
- Vehicle tax:
- £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025 (2026/27 rates). A car registered from April 2017 that listed at over £40,000 new (options included) also pays the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 — it is the price when new that counts, not what you pay for it used.
- Best years:
- 2021, 2022, 2023
Which one suits you
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Good for: Buyers who want a large plug-in hybrid SUV and will check the recall record, particularly on a 2014–2016 car, and the battery cover for the exact VIN.
Less good for: Anyone buying a 2014–2015 car without the dealer record for the parking-brake, ECU-relay and hybrid-system recalls.
Toyota RAV4
Good for: Families wanting a reliable, low-running-cost SUV. Commuters doing mixed town/motorway miles who want the hybrid fuel savings without the hassle of plug-in charging. Buyers who prioritise long-term reliability over prestige badge.
Less good for: Buyers wanting a sporty drive — the RAV4 Hybrid prioritises economy over driver engagement. Off-road purists (the RAV4 has on-demand AWD via a rear electric motor, not a locking diff). Anyone wanting a third-row seat — the RAV4 is strictly 5-seat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more reliable, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV or the Toyota RAV4?
How do the MOT pass rates of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and the Toyota RAV4 compare?
Which years of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Toyota RAV4 should I avoid?
Is the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV or the Toyota RAV4 cheaper to run?
MOT figures are counted from DVSA records and are the only measured statistic here. Prices, economy and tax bands are indicative and vary by specification, condition and where the car has lived. Last reviewed: 2026-10-06 / 2026-10-06.