City car · 2000–2021 cars
Mitsubishi Mirage reliability
The Mitsubishi Mirage fails 18.1% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, based on 32,255 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mitsubishi Mirage before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 18.1%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 2% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 32,255
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 5,300
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mitsubishi Mirage ages
Each point is the share of Mitsubishi Mirages of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mitsubishi Mirage | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 12.8% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 13.6% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 13.8% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 17.8% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 17.2% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 19% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 22.2% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 23.6% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 26.8% | 34.6% |
By year
The best and worst Mitsubishi Mirage years
2013 cars come out best and 2020 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Mirage | 1,072 | 13.7% | 32% more fails | 17,742 |
| 2019 Mirage | 2,561 | 11.7% | 10% more fails | 17,774 |
| 2018 Mirage | 3,256 | 14.7% | 21% more fails | 21,644 |
| 2017 Mirage | 3,974 | 15.9% | 13% more fails | 25,682 |
| 2016 Mirage | 4,403 | 16.2% | 1% fewer fails | 31,631 |
| 2015 Mirage | 4,726 | 18.7% | 3% fewer fails | 38,389 |
| 2014 Mirage | 5,394 | 20.7% | 8% fewer fails | 44,883 |
| 2013 Mirage | 6,751 | 22.7% | 13% fewer fails | 53,238 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Mitsubishi Mirage
Its weak spot is windscreen, wipers and mirrors: 43% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres5.9%24% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.9%43% above avg
- Lights and electrics4.4%20% below avg
- Brakes3.9%13% above avg
- Suspension1.7%60% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.9%23% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.6%64% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.6%51% below avg
- Steering0.4%54% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.04% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.32% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.06% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 4
Position lamp not working 1.41% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 5
Headlamp aim set too low 0.96% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 6
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.89% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 7
Tyre pressure monitoring system faulty 0.79% of tests
A faulty tyre pressure monitor cannot warn about low tyre pressure, so check tyres manually and have the fault diagnosed.
- 8
Ball joint dust cover no longer sealed 0.64% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the joint, speeding wear, so the joint may need replacing later.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mitsubishi Mirage's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit13.22%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking7.99%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.17%
- Brake disc pitted or scored6.62%
- Brake discs showing some wear2.31%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy2.08%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mitsubishi Mirage
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
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.
- 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 Mirage covers about 5,300 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
- Petrol100%
Most common colours
White, Blue, Red, Grey, Black
Average engine size: 1.2 litres.
Compare
How the Mitsubishi Mirage compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Mirage | 18.1% | about average for its age |
| Volkswagen Lupo | 39.8% | about average for its age |
| Daihatsu Sirion | 37.8% | about average for its age |
| Nissan Pixo | 34.5% | 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C2 | 47.7% | 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Amica | 43% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Matiz | 49.4% | 50% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every city car ranked in the city car reliability index, or all Mitsubishi models.
Questions
Mitsubishi Mirage questions, answered
Is the Mitsubishi Mirage reliable?
On MOT results, the Mitsubishi Mirage is about average: it fails 18.1% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage. It ranks 7 of 43 city car models in our index.
What fails most on a Mitsubishi Mirage MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mitsubishi Mirage are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.04% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.32% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.06% of tests). By area, tyres fails 5.9% of its tests.
Which Mitsubishi Mirage year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2013 cars do best (13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2020 cars do worst (32% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Mitsubishi Mirage do a year?
A typical Mitsubishi Mirage covers about 5,300 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 Mirage 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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