Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is an ideal cell type extensively used in cartilage multipotency to differentiate into cartilage and can be isolated from a wide variety of tissue sources with strong in vitro expansion. Since cartilage has the important mechanical properties, it is necessary to highlight and evaluate the mechanobiological properties of MSC-based tissue engineered cartilage. To better understand the relationship between inducing factor of cartilage repair, signal pathway and mechanical properties, this paper reviews the advances made on research of mechanobiology in MSC-based tissue engineering cartilage, discusses the existing problems in this field, and try to point out some new approaches or directions worthy of such investigation.