Small SUV · 2010–2021 cars
Mitsubishi ASX reliability
The Mitsubishi ASX fails 22.1% of first MOT tests, 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 94,566 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mitsubishi ASX before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 22.1%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 12% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 94,566
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,300
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mitsubishi ASX ages
Each point is the share of Mitsubishi ASXs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mitsubishi ASX | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 12.3% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 13.5% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 15.7% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 19% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 23.9% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 26.7% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 28.5% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 31% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 33.8% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 34.9% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 37.7% | 41.1% |
By year
The best and worst Mitsubishi ASX years
2012 cars come out best and 2014 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 ASX | 2,472 | 9.9% | 12% fewer fails | 23,610 |
| 2019 ASX | 4,221 | 10.9% | 13% fewer fails | 27,554 |
| 2018 ASX | 7,380 | 13% | 11% fewer fails | 34,658 |
| 2017 ASX | 12,994 | 15.2% | 12% fewer fails | 43,261 |
| 2016 ASX | 10,350 | 17.2% | 15% fewer fails | 52,208 |
| 2015 ASX | 15,054 | 20.8% | 14% fewer fails | 62,627 |
| 2014 ASX | 12,720 | 26.4% | 6% fewer fails | 72,088 |
| 2013 ASX | 8,490 | 27.6% | 11% fewer fails | 79,363 |
| 2012 ASX | 7,395 | 28.8% | 18% fewer fails | 90,201 |
| 2011 ASX | 7,542 | 31.7% | 16% fewer fails | 100,643 |
| 2010 ASX | 5,776 | 35.9% | 11% fewer fails | 108,581 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Mitsubishi ASX
Its weak spot is brakes: 49% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Brakes8%49% above avg
- Suspension6.1%16% below avg
- Lights and electrics5%44% below avg
- Tyres4%37% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4%1% below avg
- Steering1.8%24% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.6%27% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.6%27% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.5%24% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.59% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.27% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.78% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Position lamp not working 1.47% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 5
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 1.36% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 6
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 1.22% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 7
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.05% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
- 8
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 0.97% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mitsubishi ASX's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit13.77%
- Brake pads wearing thin11.57%
- Brake disc pitted or scored8.71%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy8.1%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.17%
- Child seat limits belt inspection2.93%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mitsubishi ASX
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Mitsubishi ASX covers about 8,300 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel54.5%
- Petrol45.5%
- LPG0%
- Electric0%
Most common colours
White, Black, Grey, Red, Blue
Average engine size: 1.8 litres.
Compare
How the Mitsubishi ASX compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Honda HR-V | 13.1% | 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jaguar E-Pace | 11.3% | 21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Niro | 13% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi ASX | 22.1% | 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SEAT Arona | 14.2% | 9% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jeep Renegade | 22.2% | 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat 500X | 21.4% | 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small suv ranked in the small suv reliability index, or all Mitsubishi models.
Questions
Mitsubishi ASX questions, answered
Is the Mitsubishi ASX reliable?
On MOT results, the Mitsubishi ASX is about average: it fails 22.1% of first MOT tests, 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 17 of 40 small suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Mitsubishi ASX MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mitsubishi ASX are brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.59% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (2.27% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.78% of tests). By area, brakes fails 8% of its tests.
Which Mitsubishi ASX year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2012 cars do best (18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2014 cars do worst (6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Mitsubishi ASX do a year?
A typical Mitsubishi ASX covers about 8,300 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Mitsubishi ASX before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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