Used car guide

2013 Mitsubishi Mirage: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Mitsubishi Mirages, from 2,136 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,136MOT tests in 2025
72%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
5,200typical miles a year
6.8×the usual rate for ball joint dust cover

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Mitsubishi Mirages than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Ball joint dust cover6.8× usual
    Mitsubishi Mirage
    17.7% All 2013 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.1% of all 2013 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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings6× usual
    Mitsubishi Mirage
    3.6% All 2013 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.2% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

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

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes5× usual
    Mitsubishi Mirage
    2.5% All 2013 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.1% of all 2013 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.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 1.6% here, against 6% of all 2013 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 1% here, against 4.7% of all 2013 cars.

By area

The share of 2013 Mitsubishi Mirage MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    34% 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
    32% 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
    20% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    17% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Rust and bodywork
    5% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2020705Tyres 23%
20191,132Tyres 26%
20181,029Tyres 28%
20171,266Tyres 28%
20161,387Tyres 30%
20151,482Tyres 32%
20141,724Tyres 32%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Mitsubishi Mirages registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score