2014 Mitsubishi Mirage 1.2L Petrol · EA14 XFE

A clear pattern emerges from the MOT history of this 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage, and it centres on the braking and suspension hardware rather than any structural or emissions concerns. Across the four most recent tests, the vehicle has carried advisories or minor defects relating to front brake pad wear, culminating in a Dangerous failure on 27 April 2022 when the nearside front outer brake pad was recorded as less than 1.5 mm thick. Since that brake-related rectification, the car has passed three consecutive tests, but the advisories have not entirely ceased. On 16 June 2025, both front tyres were flagged as worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge, and on the most recent pass of 15 June 2026, severe deterioration of both front outer suspension arm ball joint dust covers was recorded as Minor defects alongside an advisory noting corrosion on the nearside rear coil spring. The trajectory is one of a car that remains legal at test but is showing the natural wear progression of a chassis that is being used rather than stored. With recorded mileage of 96,797 miles over twelve years, this Mirage has averaged roughly 8,066 miles per year, which sits comfortably in the normal bracket for a vehicle of its generation used as everyday transport. The annual accumulation rate has been steady rather than erratic, and there are no lengthy gaps in the testing history that would suggest the car was off the road for extended periods, nor any sudden mileage spikes between tests that might indicate clocked figures or unusually intensive use. Mechanical implications for a Mirage at this mileage are predictable: the wear pattern already observed at MOT, with brake pads reaching the end of their life, tyres needing regular replacement, and suspension joints beginning to deteriorate, is consistent with a small hatchback that has covered genuine road miles and is now entering the phase where consumables and chassis bushes demand more frequent attention. For a prospective buyer, the braking system warrants the closest scrutiny, given that a Dangerous failure was recorded as recently as 2022 for an excessively worn nearside front pad. On a test drive, listen for any binding or scraping from the front calipers during low-speed manoeuvres, and feel for a pulling bias under moderate braking that could indicate a seized slider or uneven pad wear. Inspect the front discs visually for a pronounced lip on the outer edge and run a finger around the friction surface to detect a stepped wear ridge, as the 2022 advisory noted discs that were worn though not excessively; check pad material thickness directly through the caliper window and confirm the nearside and offside wear rates are now symmetrical after the post-failure rectification. Pay particular attention to the brake fluid condition and the handbrake travel, as neither has been flagged but both are appropriate service items at this age and mileage. The suspension components flagged at the most recent test deserve equally close inspection. With both front outer ball joint dust covers recorded as severely deteriorated on the June 2026 pass, water and grit ingress into the taper is a real risk over the coming winter months, so listen for any clonking or knocking from the front end when traversing speed bumps or potholes, and check for uneven tyre wear across the front axle that could point to play developing in the joints. The nearside rear coil spring was also noted as corroded at the latest test; inspect the visible coils for any deep pitting, cracks, or sagging that could compromise ride quality. Finally, monitor the nearside rear shock absorber for leaking, given that the front has already been replaced, and verify that the rear nearside rear tyre is not wearing unevenly, which would confirm the advisories are being addressed promptly.