What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Mitsubishi I.
The Mitsubishi I occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Mitsubishi I 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 I? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
HA1W (2006–2013) — Engine options included the 3B20 MIVEC. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Subframe mounting area structural weakness (£500–£1,500 to address).
MOT data shows this model fails at 11.5x the national average for load-bearing structure problems within 30cm of subframe mounting points at 60-80k miles. The lightweight construction and small size may concentrate stress around suspension pickup points. This is classified as a dangerous defect by MOT standards as it affects the structural integrity of the vehicle's suspension mounting. Higher mileage examples should be carefully inspected around all suspension attachment areas.
Structural failure around suspension mounting points can cause loss of vehicle control and complete suspension collapse. The car must be taken off the road immediately if this defect is identified. Professional structural assessment is required before any repair attempt.
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.
MOT data shows this model fails at up to 50.2x the national average for steering rack gaiter and ball joint dust cover damage across multiple mileage bands. The high failure rate suggests the rubber components may be particularly prone to splitting or perishing on this model. While not immediately dangerous, damaged gaiters allow dirt and water into steering components, leading to expensive rack replacement if left unrepaired.
Damaged gaiters allow road dirt and water to contaminate steering rack internals, leading to accelerated wear and eventual rack replacement. Early replacement of gaiters costs under £100 but delayed action can result in rack replacement costing £600-£1,200.
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.
MOT data shows this model fails at 15.9x the national average for CV joint boot deterioration at 40-60k miles with a worsening trend. The constant velocity joint boots protect the driveshaft joints from contamination. The high failure rate suggests the rubber compound or design may be inadequate for the operating conditions on this small car.
Failed CV joint boots allow dirt and water to contaminate the joint, leading to wear and eventual joint failure. Boot replacement typically costs £80-£150 per side but delayed action can require complete driveshaft replacement at £300-£500 per side.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
MOT data shows this model fails at 21.3x the national average for suspension joint dust cover deterioration at 40-60k miles with a worsening trend. These protective covers prevent contamination of ball joints and suspension pivots. The high failure rate suggests the rubber compounds may not be suitable for UK climate conditions or the suspension design creates excessive stress on these components.
Failed dust covers allow contamination of suspension joints, accelerating wear and reducing component life. Dust cover replacement is relatively inexpensive but contaminated joints may require complete replacement of suspension arms or links at significantly higher cost.
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.
MOT data shows this model fails at 4.9x the national average for excessive fluid leakage at 40-60k miles with a worsening trend. Given the small engine size and compact packaging, this likely involves oil seepage from gaskets or seals that becomes significant due to the limited fluid capacity. Small leaks become proportionally more serious on vehicles with very small oil sumps.
Excessive fluid loss can lead to engine damage if oil levels drop too low. Small capacity engines are particularly vulnerable to oil starvation. Environmental contamination from leaking fluids is an MOT failure and continuing to drive with significant leaks poses environmental risks.
Check the oil level before the engine is started. Ask the seller how often they top up the oil between services. After a test drive, check the level again and look behind the car for blue or grey exhaust smoke under acceleration.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Mitsubishi I common problems page.
Based on 2k real DVSA MOT tests, the Mitsubishi I fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is track rod ends worn at 50x the fleet average, followed by headlight fault (21x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Mitsubishi I 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 (£300–£450).
See the full Mitsubishi I service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Mitsubishi I 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 I, 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 I issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.