2016 Mitsubishi ASX 1.6L Diesel · M77 CAG

A pattern of progressively thinning rear brake pads and recurring rear-tyre edge wear defines the mechanical story of this Mitsubishi ASX, culminating in a dangerous failure at the 2024 test before a clean pass at the most recent examination on 27 November 2025. The trajectory is concerning in isolation but should be understood in context: the dangerous items on 3 December 2024 were both rear brake pads measuring under 1.5 mm, a level at which braking efficiency is severely compromised and further use risks complete pad loss and disc damage. The fact that the vehicle returned to roadworthiness just over eleven months later, with no repeat brake advisory at the 2025 test, indicates the wear items were addressed rather than allowed to deteriorate further. However, the persistence of nearside rear tyre edge wear across three consecutive tests (2023, 2024, and 2025) and the emergence of offside rear tyre wear and perishing in the latest record suggest an ongoing geometry or suspension issue rather than a one-off consumable change. With 81,193 miles accumulated over ten years, the ASX has covered roughly 8,100 miles annually, a broadly average figure that points to steady mixed-use rather than long periods of inactivity or punishing high-mileage motorway work. There are no significant gaps in the testing record, with annual examinations consistently carried out through late autumn and winter, which means there is no evidence of the vehicle being laid up for extended periods. Mechanically, this usage profile is favourable for a 2016 crossover: the drivetrain, suspension bushes, and engine ancillaries have been worked regularly rather than suffering the oil-seal drying and flat-spot corrosion associated with cars that sit unused for months. The brake and tyre wear observed is more consistent with the moderate annual mileage and likely urban-driven use rather than a neglected or abused vehicle. For a prospective buyer, the most pressing area to scrutinise is the rear braking and suspension geometry, given the repeat advisories. On a test drive, listen for any metallic grinding or squeal from the rear axle under light braking, as new pads bedding in against worn or scored rear discs can produce noticeable noise and reduced bite. Apply the brakes firmly at speed and check for any pull to one side, particularly towards the nearside, which would indicate sticking calipers or uneven pad wear on the rear. Inspect both rear tyres for inner-edge wear specifically, as the MOT advisories flagged edge wear which typically points to incorrect tracking, worn rear suspension bushes, or sagging rear coil springs. With the vehicle raised or on a ramp, examine the rear trailing arm bushes, anti-roll bar links, and shock absorber mounts for cracking or deterioration, as these are common wear points on the ASX platform at this mileage and would explain the chronic tyre wear pattern. The undertrays noted at every test should be removed for a thorough inspection, as they obscure evidence of fluid leaks from the engine, gearbox, or rear differential. On a road test, listen for clonking over uneven surfaces, which would suggest worn rear suspension bushes or failing top mounts, and check for any steering wander or instability that could indicate front suspension wear compensating for the rear issues. Verify that the rear brake caliper slides are free and the handbrake holds firmly on an incline, as rear brake binding is a known issue on vehicles where pads have been allowed to wear down to metal. Finally, confirm the recent tyre replacements were carried out as a matched pair on the rear axle to address the edge wear pattern, and ensure a four-wheel alignment check has been performed, as fitting new tyres without correcting underlying geometry will simply repeat the same wear pattern within the next 10,000 miles.