Rock-bottom motoring costs, no frills attached
An ultra-budget city car sold in the UK from 2013 to 2021, positioned as the cheapest new car on the market for much of its life. It targeted buyers for whom purchase price and running costs trumped all other considerations. Critically panned by reviewers but appreciated by owners who value its simplicity and extraordinary fuel economy.
We track 5 known issues across the Mitsubishi Mirage 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 Mirage? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
A05A (2012–2021) — Engine options included the 1.0 3A90, 1.2 3A92. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Brake pipe corrosion (£200–£400 to address).
Steel brake pipes on the Mirage corrode at an accelerated rate compared to the fleet average, particularly affecting the rear axle routing where pipes are exposed to road spray and debris. The corrosion appears earlier than expected on a relatively modern vehicle, with failures documented from as low as 20,000 miles. This represents a fundamental design or material specification issue rather than normal age-related deterioration. Brake pipe failure causes complete loss of braking on the affected circuit.
Complete brake pipe failure results in total loss of braking on one circuit. While the dual-circuit system provides backup braking, stopping distances increase dramatically and the vehicle becomes dangerous to drive. Brake pipe replacement typically requires removal of interior trim and underbody protection panels.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
The rubber dust covers protecting ball joints and track rod ends fail at an exceptionally high rate on the Mirage, with MOT failure rates up to 178.3 times the fleet average. These covers prevent dirt and moisture ingress into the joint, and their failure leads to accelerated wear of the underlying components. The issue affects both front and rear suspension joints across all mileage ranges, suggesting a fundamental material or design problem with the rubber compound used.
Failed dust covers allow dirt and moisture into ball joints and track rod ends, causing accelerated wear and eventual failure. Worn suspension joints affect handling precision and can cause MOT failure. Complete joint failure creates a dangerous loss of steering control.
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.
Brake pads wear to below the legal 1.5mm limit at an accelerated rate on the Mirage, with MOT failures occurring at exceptionally low mileages. This suggests either inadequate pad material specification for the vehicle weight and braking system, or a brake system design issue causing uneven pad wear. The problem is most severe on the 1.2-litre variants and affects very low mileage vehicles, indicating a fundamental design rather than usage issue.
Pads worn below 1.5mm fail the MOT and create a safety risk. Completely worn pads damage brake discs and require both pads and discs to be replaced. Early pad wear suggests ongoing higher running costs throughout ownership.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
Multiple US owners report airbag warning lights illuminating, often associated with Takata airbag recalls. The warning light indicates a fault in the airbag system that prevents deployment in a crash. This is a significant safety concern that requires immediate diagnosis and repair. Some cases may be related to corroded connections or failed impact sensors.
An illuminated airbag warning light means the airbags will not deploy in a crash, creating a serious safety risk for occupants. The vehicle will fail its MOT with this warning light illuminated. Professional diagnosis with manufacturer scan tools is required to identify the specific fault.
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.
US owners report persistent engine noise on startup that continues even after manufacturer recall work was completed to address the issue. The noise is described as screeching or squealing during engine start, suggesting problems with the timing chain, tensioner, or accessory belt system. This indicates the recall fix was incomplete or the underlying design problem was not fully resolved.
While not immediately dangerous, persistent startup noise indicates ongoing wear in the timing or accessory drive system. Left unaddressed, this could develop into timing chain failure or accessory belt breakage. The issue suggests potential ongoing reliability concerns.
Listen carefully for a rattle or ticking noise from the engine on cold start — this is the most common early sign. Ask for evidence of chain replacement in the service history. On higher-mileage cars without documented replacement, budget for preventative work.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Mitsubishi Mirage common problems page.
Based on 51k real DVSA MOT tests, the Mitsubishi Mirage fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated at 14x the fleet average, followed by bumper insecure or with damage (8x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Mitsubishi Mirage MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 8k miles) typically costs £60–£90 at an independent garage.
See the full Mitsubishi Mirage service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Mitsubishi Mirage 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. The 2017-2020 facelift models are the best — they received a more powerful engine with redesigned pistons fixing cold-shrinkage problems, an updated spoiler for improved economy, and better safety features. Avoid the 2014-2015 models which had the most reported faults and the weakest specification.
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 Mirage, 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 Mirage issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.