Mitsubishi Mirage MOT Failures
An analysis of 64,645 real DVSA MOT tests on the Mitsubishi Mirage — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: A05A (2012–2021).
Where the Mitsubishi Mirage fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Mitsubishi Mirage is suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated — this model is 14 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it worth watching for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 64,645 MOT tests, 2.61% of all Mitsubishi Mirage tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include brake pipes corroded (6.5x the fleet average), bumper insecure or with damage (8.4x the fleet average), rear registration plate lamp or light source mi... (8.0x the fleet average), and fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective ... (6.8x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Mitsubishi Mirage's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Suspension, Brakes, Bodywork, Lights & Electrics, Wipers & Windscreen. If you're inspecting a Mitsubishi Mirage before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Mitsubishi Mirage's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Mitsubishi Mirage specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (11x the average) and bumper insecure or with damage (8.4x). rear registration plate lamp or light source mi... (8.0x) and fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective ... (6.8x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Mitsubishi Mirage specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (12x the average) and suspension joint dust cover missing or no longe... (5.1x).
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Mitsubishi Mirage specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (14x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (5.9x).
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Mitsubishi Mirage specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Brake pipe corrosion Dangerous
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. Affects A05A; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
Suspension joint dust cover deterioration Major
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. Affects A05A; typical independent garage repair cost is £80–£150.
Premature brake pad wear Major
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. Affects A05A; typical independent garage repair cost is £80–£120.
Airbag warning light illumination Major
Multiple US owners report airbag warning lights illuminating, often associated with Takata airbag recalls. Affects A05A.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Mitsubishi Mirage common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Mitsubishi Mirage
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Mitsubishi Mirage:
Suspension — check for suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated, anti-roll bar links worn, suspension joint dust cover missing or no longe.... Brakes — check for brake pipes corroded. Bodywork — check for bumper insecure or with damage, fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective .... Lights & Electrics — check for rear registration plate lamp or light source mi....
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about brake pipe corrosion and suspension joint dust cover deterioration. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £200. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Mitsubishi Mirage?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Mitsubishi Mirage MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Mitsubishi Mirage?
Based on 64,645 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated — at 14x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include brake pipes corroded and bumper insecure or with damage.
Is the Mitsubishi Mirage reliable based on MOT data?
The Mitsubishi Mirage has 8 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag brake pipe corrosion as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Mitsubishi Mirage most commonly fails on suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated and anti-roll bar links worn. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated and bumper insecure or with damage.
How do I check a Mitsubishi Mirage's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.