What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Mitsubishi Grandis.
The Mitsubishi Grandis occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Mitsubishi Grandis range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Mitsubishi Grandis? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
NA (2004–2010) — Petrol options included the 2.4 MIVEC, with 2.0 DI-D on the diesel side. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Subframe mounting point corrosion (£500–£1,500 to address).
The load-bearing structure around suspension mounting points suffers from corrosion that weakens the connection between the subframe and body shell. This affects the prescribed areas within 30cm of spring and suspension component mounting points. MOT data shows this model fails at 11.3 times the fleet average for structural integrity around these mounting points, with the diesel variant particularly affected at 100,000-120,000 miles. This represents a fundamental structural safety issue that can lead to suspension component detachment.
If mounting points fail completely, suspension components can detach from the vehicle causing immediate loss of control and potential accident. Structural repairs typically require welding and may not be economically viable on older vehicles. The car is not safe to drive if structural integrity is compromised.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
The steering rack develops excessive wear causing dangerous free play at the steering wheel. MOT data shows this model fails at 12.5 times the fleet average for steering free play, particularly affecting the 2.4-litre petrol variant at 80,000-100,000 miles. The rack's internal seals and steering mechanism wear prematurely, creating looseness that affects vehicle control and directional stability. This is a significant safety defect that worsens progressively.
Excessive steering free play creates unpredictable vehicle handling and increases accident risk, particularly in emergency situations requiring quick steering inputs. Complete rack replacement is typically required. The vehicle should not be driven if free play exceeds MOT limits as it represents a direct safety hazard.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
Multiple suspension components suffer from premature wear and corrosion damage. MOT data shows failures at 9.8 times the fleet average for worn suspension pins, bushes and joints, with an additional 6.4 times the average for general suspension component corrosion. The diesel variant is particularly affected, with issues appearing from 80,000 miles. This encompasses wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar links, shock absorber mounts, and ball joints that deteriorate due to design weakness and corrosion susceptibility.
Worn suspension components compromise vehicle handling, braking performance, and occupant safety. Multiple components typically require replacement together, creating significant repair costs. Severely worn ball joints or control arms can separate, causing loss of control. The vehicle remains driveable with minor wear but should be repaired promptly to prevent deterioration into dangerous territory.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The engine management warning light illuminates at 4-litre petrol variant at higher mileages. This indicates detected malfunctions in the engine control system which can range from sensor failures to more serious mechanical issues. While the car typically remains driveable, the underlying cause requires diagnosis to prevent potential engine damage and ensure emissions compliance.
While often caused by minor sensor faults, the engine management light can indicate serious engine problems requiring significant repair. The car will fail its MOT test with the light illuminated. Diagnosis typically costs £80-£120, with repair costs varying from £50 for a sensor to over £1,000 for major engine management system faults.
Check all electrical functions systematically: windows, mirrors, lights, infotainment, heated seats, air conditioning. Look for any warning lights on the dashboard. A diagnostic scan before purchase can reveal stored fault codes.
The exhaust system suffers from premature corrosion and mounting failures, with MOT data showing failures at 5.0 times the fleet average. The 2.4-litre petrol variant is particularly affected at high mileages. This affects silencers, connecting pipes, and mounting rubbers which deteriorate due to the exhaust's positioning and design. While not immediately dangerous, exhaust leaks can allow dangerous gases into the cabin and create excessive noise levels.
Exhaust leaks can allow carbon monoxide into the cabin, creating a health hazard. Excessive noise may breach local regulations. Complete exhaust system replacement is sometimes more economical than sectional repairs on high-mileage examples. The car remains safe to drive with minor exhaust leaks but should be repaired promptly.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Mitsubishi Grandis common problems page.
Based on 10k real DVSA MOT tests, the Mitsubishi Grandis fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is headlight fault at 41x the fleet average, followed by registration plate lamp not securely attached (36x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Mitsubishi Grandis MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 9k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include timing belt (£350–£500).
See the full Mitsubishi Grandis service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Mitsubishi Grandis has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Mitsubishi Grandis, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Mitsubishi Grandis issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.