2017 Mitsubishi ASX 2.3L Diesel · CE17 BLN

The Mitsubishi ASX presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent test on 16 March 2026 at 128,980 miles passed, yet the tester flagged rear brake pads wearing thin and suspension components corroded. These are not new issues. Corrosion advisories have appeared in three of the last five annual tests, dating back to March 2024 and March 2025, and the record shows a persistent pattern of minor oil leaks and worn anti-roll bar bushes. The trend is not worsening dramatically, but it is not resolving either. Basic underbody and suspension upkeep has been reactive rather than preventative. At roughly 14,331 miles per year, this ASX has covered significantly more ground than typical for a nine-year-old vehicle. The mileage progression is steady and consistent, with no suspicious gaps or sudden drops. Between March 2022 and March 2023, the car added 18,052 miles, then 19,573 miles the following year, before the annual total dropped to 17,235 miles between March 2025 and March 2026. This sustained high mileage explains the accelerated consumption of brake pads, tyres, and suspension bushes. The wear is proportional to use, but it also means components that typically last longer on lower-mileage cars have been replaced or worn through more than once. A buyer should inspect the subframe, suspension mounting points, and brake backplates for corrosion depth, not just surface rust. The repeated advisory on suspension components corroded suggests the underbody has been exposed to moisture and salt without adequate protection. Check both front suspension arm ball joint dust covers, as the nearside was flagged in March 2024 and deterioration of these covers leads to joint failure. Examine the rear calipers and handbrake mechanism carefully. Rear brake pads have been flagged as thin in both 2022 and 2026, and the 2025 test noted worn anti-roll bar linkage bushes, indicating the rear end has received more attention than the front. The oil leak advisories in 2024 and 2025, though described as not excessive, warrant a close look at the rocker cover gasket and oil filter housing. On a high-mileage turbocharged petrol engine, seeping oil hardens and attracts dirt, masking more serious leaks beneath carbon buildup. Have a garage put the car on a lift and inspect from below. The tyre wear pattern noted on the offside front in 2025 points to possible tracking or suspension geometry issues that may still be present. This is a car that has been driven hard and maintained just enough to pass. It is roadworthy today, but the next owner should budget for suspension and brake renewal in the near term.