Used buying checklist
Mitsubishi Asx reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Mitsubishi Asx looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 15.4% of 32,584 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 15.4% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 65,185 miles
- 5,034 failed MOT tests analysed
Corrosion and structure is the clearest area to check
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (38.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include excessively corroded, corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened, and corroded and seriously weakened.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- excessively corroded
- corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened
- corroded and seriously weakened
- corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt
- ball joint excessively worn
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)
- ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- has a major leak of exhaust gases
- emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak
Focus on corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust
The model's recorded failure rate is 15.4%, -3.3 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed32,584 tests
- Median tested mileage65,185 miles
- Failed MOT tests5,034
Should you buy a used Mitsubishi Asx?
84.5% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 15.4%, -3.3 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust
- corrosion and structure appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "excessively corroded"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (38.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Mitsubishi Asx, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
The MOT failure rate rises from 3.2% at 0-3 years to 21.7% at 10-15 years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (38.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (18.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (6.3 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (6.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (5.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Mitsubishi Asx, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (38.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Mitsubishi Asx mainly involve 6 areas: brakes, suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Mitsubishi Asx, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 10,456 | 9,330 | 8.2%-2.6 percentage points vs all models | 35,527 miles |
| 50-100k | 15,980 | 13,081 | 17.1%-3.6 percentage points vs all models | 71,525 miles |
| 100-150k | 5,391 | 4,101 | 23.6%-2.6 percentage points vs all models | 115,265 miles |
| 150-200k | 610 | 456 | 26.1%-1.2 percentage points vs all models | 163,074 miles |
| 200k+ | 42 | 34 | 21.4%-5.1 percentage points vs all models | 220,704 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Mitsubishi Asx, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 3.2% at 0-3 years to 21.7% at 10-15 years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 21.7% for 10-15 years cars, based on 9,081 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
94 | 90 | 3.2%-5.3 percentage points vs all models | 3.0 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
6,311 | 5,672 | 7.8%-2.8 percentage points vs all models | 5.1 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
17,098 | 14,248 | 15.0%-1.6 percentage points vs all models | 8.0 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
9,081 | 6,973 | 21.7%-1.8 percentage points vs all models | 11.7 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2019-01-08 | INAPPROPRIATE ECU PROGRAM FOR THE BATTERY DETERIORATION JUDGMENT (STATE OF CHARGE) Inappropriate ECU program for battery deterioration judgement. Reprogram the software with the countermeasure software. |
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| 2018-11-03 | THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC UNIT FUNCTION MAY BE INTERRUPTED Driver assist programme functions through the hydraulic brake unit may be interrupted. The ECU will be rewritten with modified software. |
| 2018-10-12 | WHERE TAIL PIPE IS WELDED TO THE EXHAUST SILENCER A CRACK MAY APPEAR Exhaust tailpipe section may crack at silencer weld. Check and replace silencer if cracked. Fit support bracket if not cracked. |
| 2018-08-08 | INAPPROPRIATE WATER PROOF STRUCTURE OF THE FRONT DECK Due to inappropriate water proof structure of the front deck water can drop on the wiper link. The wiper link ball joint may corrode and cause excessive wear of the resin part of the ball joint. In the worst case the wiper link may detach itself and the windshield wipers may be inoperative. The water proof pad has been added to the end of wiper link rubber boot since April 1st 2016 |
| 2018-08-08 | PARKING BRAKE CALIPER SHAFT BOOTS INCORRECTLY SEALED Due to improper sealing of parking brake caliper shaft boots water might penetrate inside and rust the shaft. As the result of continuous use the rust will erode into the internal caliper and the shaft becomes stuck causing decreased parking brake force. Due to improper manufacturing process automatic adjuster for brake pad clearance of rear brake caliper might not work properly. As the result as brake pad wear the clearance is not correctly adjusted and brake force becomes insufficient to hold a vehicle. In the worst case scenario parking brake will not work even though a lever is fully operated and parked vehicle may move. Anti-rust coating (Fluorine) has been applied to parking brake shaft from 27/01/2016 supplied parts & the Inspection process for the caliper has been changed from 14/12/2014 supplied parts. |
| 2018-02-19 | DOOR LATCHING MECHANISM MAY MALFUNCTION IN HOT TEMPERATURES The locking mechanism in the door latch assembly may not operate properly in high temperatures. As a result the door may latch correctly and may unintentionally open whilst driving. A modified assembly is available and depending on vehicle identification number the remedy is to replace either both O/S door latches or on all four doors. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Mitsubishi Asx. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Mitsubishi reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.