2010 Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0L Diesel · AF60 PFE

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history indicates a reactive rather than proactive ownership pattern. While the most recent test in March 2026 at 117,657 miles passed with only a minor tyre advisory, the records from early 2024 reveal significant mechanical neglect. The failure in early May 2024 due to an inoperative engine management light, a leaking front shock absorber, and a worn anti-roll bar ball joint suggests that safety-critical components were only addressed once they reached a point of failure. At 117,657 miles, the Lancer averages approximately 7,350 miles per year, which aligns with typical usage for a sixteen-year-old vehicle. There is a notable gap in the records between January 2023 and May 2024, during which the car covered over 11,000 miles. This interval, combined with the black smoke emission noted in 2023 at 104,870 miles, suggests the engine may have suffered from mixture issues or sat stationary for extended periods, leading to carbon buildup or component degradation. A buyer must inspect the front suspension closely, as the history of repeated issues with shock absorbers and ball joints indicates a vulnerability to rubber component wear. The braking system also shows a trend of deferred maintenance, with rear pads flagged as thin in both the May 2024 failure and the subsequent pass just two weeks later. Furthermore, the engine management system needs to be verified electronically to ensure that the malfunction reported in 2024 was properly rectified, as an inactive MIL light masks potential sensor failures that could damage the catalytic converter.