Used car guide

2011 Mitsubishi ASX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Mitsubishi ASXs, from 1,928 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,928MOT tests in 2025
63%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
7,900typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Mitsubishi ASXs than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.3× usual
    Mitsubishi ASX
    20.1% All 2011 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Sub-frame3.3× usual
    Mitsubishi ASX
    19.4% All 2011 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.3% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Track rod ends2.7× usual
    Mitsubishi ASX
    14.4% All 2011 cars
    5.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 2.6% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Exhaust system2.3× usual
    Mitsubishi ASX
    14.5% All 2011 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 1.7% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Ball joint dust cover3× usual
    Mitsubishi ASX
    9.3% All 2011 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 1.3% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Coil springs: 3.7% here, against 10.3% of all 2011 cars. Headlights: 2.6% here, against 5.8% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Mitsubishi ASX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    55% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    44% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    31% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    25% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    16% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Mitsubishi ASX?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021510Tyres 19%
20201,486Tyres 22%
20191,613Tyres 27%
20182,189Brakes 28%
20173,974Brakes 34%
20163,181Brakes 34%
20154,464Brakes 39%
20143,650Brakes 42%
20132,345Suspension 46%
20122,009Suspension 49%
20101,419Suspension 57%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Mitsubishi ASXs registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score