Used car guide

2018 Mitsubishi ASX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Mitsubishi ASXs, from 2,189 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,189MOT tests in 2025
84%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
7,100typical miles a year
1.6×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Mitsubishi ASXs than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Brake pads1.6× usual
    Mitsubishi ASX
    18% All 2018 cars
    11%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 2.1% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Rigid brake pipes8.2× usual
    Mitsubishi ASX
    6.6% All 2018 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.1% of all 2018 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.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints14× usual
    Mitsubishi ASX
    2.8% All 2018 cars
    0.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints6.2× usual
    Mitsubishi ASX
    3.1% All 2018 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.2% of all 2018 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.

By area

The share of 2018 Mitsubishi ASX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    28% 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
    25% 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.

  • Suspension
    12% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Lights and electrics
    5% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Looking at a Mitsubishi ASX?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021510Tyres 19%
20201,486Tyres 22%
20191,613Tyres 27%
20173,974Brakes 34%
20163,181Brakes 34%
20154,464Brakes 39%
20143,650Brakes 42%
20132,345Suspension 46%
20122,009Suspension 49%
20111,928Suspension 55%
20101,419Suspension 57%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Mitsubishi ASXs registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score