2013 Mitsubishi ASX 2.3L Diesel · AE63 FKD

The defining mechanical story of this 2013 Mitsubishi ASX centres on front suspension wear and inspection-restricting underbody coatings, with the most recent test on 2026-05-16 returning a pass only after a prior failure two days earlier had flagged a track rod end ball joint with excessive play and a worn front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint on the nearside. That earlier test had also recorded an advisory noting that manufacturer body covers fitted to the underside restrict full inspection, and that advisory has recurred across virtually every test in the record. A pattern of under-seal and wax-oil coatings applied to the chassis, brake pipes, and suspension has been noted repeatedly since at least 2023, which makes it difficult for testers to assess structural corrosion or component condition underneath. An additional significant failure occurred in April 2023, when the ABS warning lamp was active indicating an ABS fault, alongside an advisory for brake pipe corrosion around both rear flexible hoses, suggesting that the braking hydraulic system has already attracted tester attention even though the coating may be concealing its present state. Recorded mileage of 102,048 across roughly 13 years equates to approximately 7,850 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and not suggestive of long-term standing or unusually heavy use. There are no large gaps in the testing history that would indicate a multi-year lay-up, and the mileage accumulation appears to be steady and incremental from one annual test to the next. This pattern is consistent with regular commuter or family use rather than severe high-mileage operation, which generally means the engine and drivetrain have worked continuously rather than being subjected to extended cold-start cycles. That said, even at moderate annual mileage, a thirteen-year-old vehicle will exhibit natural wear on rubber and suspension components, and the recorded defects align broadly with that expectation rather than with extreme overuse. For a prospective buyer, the priority mechanical checks relate directly to the components flagged in the MOT record. The near-side front suspension, which was the location of both the failed track rod end and the worn anti-roll bar ball joint in 2026, should be examined closely; on a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and feel for any vagueness, clunking, or looseness through the steering wheel, particularly over bumps. Given the advisory from the 2025 test that slight free play was detected at the steering wheel, any persistent clunk or slackness now would suggest the steering rack or its mounting bushes may also need attention. With the car raised, the front anti-roll bar drop links, wishbone bushes, and track rod ends should be physically rocked and levered to confirm they are not perished or loose, as components replaced in isolation often have adjacent parts approaching a similar service interval. The braking system warrants equally careful scrutiny, particularly as 2021 advisories flagged worn, pitted, and scored rear brake discs alongside thinning rear inner brake pads, and the 2023 failure noted brake pipe corrosion near the rear flexi hoses. On test, the brake pedal should feel firm with no excessive travel, and there should be no pulling to either side under heavy braking, which could indicate a binding caliper or a flexible hose that has softened with age. Because the underside has been repeatedly coated in under-seal and wax oil, a thorough pre-purchase inspection on a ramp is strongly advisable, as the tester will need to visually confirm the condition of the brake pipes, rear subframe, and suspension arms that are otherwise masked. The tyres should be inspected for the cracking and perishing that was flagged on both rear tyres in 2023, and the ABS warning lamp must be observed to illuminate and extinguish cleanly on ignition, given the 2023 ABS fault that was rectified. Finally, the small registration plate lamp defect noted in 2025 is a trivial electrical item, but it does indicate that minor lighting faults have begun to appear, so a full walk-around check of all exterior bulbs is sensible before purchase.