Mitsubishi Mirage MOT pass rate and common problems
86.6% of 15,153 Mitsubishi Mirage MOT tests pass.
The Mirage passes its MOT 86.6% of the time — well above the average across all Mitsubishi models, which sits at 78.5%.
The Mitsubishi Mirage passes its MOT 86.6% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Mitsubishi Mirage?
This is the average across every Mitsubishi Mirage in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Mitsubishi’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 92.1% at 0–3 years to 80.8% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 92.1% | 266 | 15,852 miles |
| 3–6 years | 91.3% | 3,372 | 24,327 miles |
| 6–10 years | 87.2% | 7,676 | 41,926 miles |
| 10–15 years | 80.8% | 3,839 | 60,683 miles |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mitsubishi Mirage
The most common reason the Mitsubishi Mirage fails its MOT is tyres — present in 35.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 35.0% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 28.7% | Not working |
| Visibility | 25.0% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Brakes | 23.7% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Suspension | 12.9% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Body, chassis, structure | 5.1% | Insecure |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.6% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Steering | 2.5% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.3% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Road Wheels | 1.1% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Mitsubishi Mirage: what to check
These checks follow the Mitsubishi Mirage’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Mitsubishi Mirage comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 87.2% to 80.8%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 86.5% down to 78.7%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 35.0% of failed Mitsubishi Mirage MOTs. 8.4% of tests at 10–15 years failed on tyres, against 3.4% at 0–3 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 28.7% of failed Mitsubishi Mirage MOTs. 8.9% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.5% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 25.0% of failed Mitsubishi Mirage MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 23.7% of failed Mitsubishi Mirage MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Suspension
Recorded in 12.9% of failed Mitsubishi Mirage MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 6.3% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Mitsubishi service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Mitsubishi models
- Mitsubishi Asx — 81.3% pass rate
- Mitsubishi Colt — 64.4% pass rate
- Mitsubishi Lancer — 74.4% pass rate
- Mitsubishi Eclipse — 90.0% pass rate
- Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross — 91.2% pass rate
- Mitsubishi Pajero — 73.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mitsubishi Mirage?
- 86.6% of Mitsubishi Mirage MOT tests pass, based on 15,153 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mitsubishi Mirage?
- The most common reason the Mitsubishi Mirage fails its MOT is tyres — present in 35.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
- What are the common problems with the Mitsubishi Mirage?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mitsubishi Mirage are tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers. 8.4% of tests at 10–15 years failed on tyres, against 3.4% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Mitsubishi Mirage?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers; brakes; suspension. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Mitsubishi Mirage's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Mitsubishi service history guide for how to check and keep one.