2013 Mitsubishi ASX: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Mitsubishi ASX?

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

• Rigid brake pipes3.6× usual
  Mitsubishi ASX

  14.7% All 2013 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.6% of all 2013 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.

• Brake pads1.8× usual
  Mitsubishi ASX

  17.5% All 2013 cars

  9.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 2.3% of all 2013 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.

• Track rod ends2.3× usual
  Mitsubishi ASX

  10.1% All 2013 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 2.2% of all 2013 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.

• Shock absorbers1.9× usual
  Mitsubishi ASX

  10.3% All 2013 cars

  5.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.2% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Ball joint dust cover3.1× usual
  Mitsubishi ASX

  6.5% All 2013 cars

  2.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.9% 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.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2013 Mitsubishi ASX MOT failures and advisories

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

• Brakes
  41% 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.

• Suspension
  38% 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.

• Tyres
  28% 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
  15% 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
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  6% 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.

Known faults on the 2013 Mitsubishi ASX

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Tailgate struts, wipers, door locks and ECU relay recalls

  Built 2010 to 2016

  Recalls also covered corroding tailgate struts (built 2010 to 2014), seizing wiper mechanisms (built 2013 to 2016), door locks in hot weather (2015 to 2016) and an overheating ECU relay (Dec 2014 to Apr 2016).

  At the viewing: Ask for proof the recalls were done, and check the tailgate stays up.

  Source: What Car?: used Mitsubishi ASX (2010 on) reliability

• Glass roof rattles

  Cars with a glass roof

  Tabs around the glass roof can come unstuck in hot weather and rattle.

  At the viewing: Listen around the roof on a rough road.

  Source: What Car?: used Mitsubishi ASX (2010 on) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Mitsubishi ASX

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2013 Mitsubishi ASX as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2013 Mitsubishi ASX as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2013 Mitsubishi ASX as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?