2018 Mitsubishi Mirage 1.2L Petrol · FN68 XXU

The 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage currently holds a valid MOT certificate issued on 3 June 2026 at 60,058 miles, but the maintenance trend is best described as reactive rather than proactive. The same test session on that date produced both a failure and a pass, indicating the car was presented in a substandard condition and rectified only after intervention. A damaged nearside rear bumper, a nail in the nearside rear tyre, a structural bulge on the nearside front tyre, and perished rear tyres all point to deferred basic upkeep. The recurring advisory for front brake disc wear, present in every test since 2024, confirms this pattern. The vehicle is roadworthy today, but only because faults were addressed at the point of inspection, not through consistent preventative care. The mileage progression tells a clear story. Between the June 2025 test at 42,940 miles and the June 2026 test at 60,058 miles, the car covered 17,118 miles in a single year, a sharp increase from the prior annual average of roughly 6,588 miles between 2024 and 2025. This sudden spike suggests either a change in ownership or a shift to heavier use, yet the MOT record shows no evidence that consumable components were replaced ahead of need. Tyres and brake pads were repeatedly flagged close to legal limits before being addressed, and the 2025 failure specifically recorded front brake pads below 1.5mm. Rapid mileage accumulation without corresponding maintenance investment accelerates wear on brakes, tyres, and suspension, and this record reflects exactly that. A buyer should pay close attention to the front braking system. The front brake discs have appeared as worn or pitted in every test from 2025 onward, and the pads were below minimum thickness at the 2025 failure. This suggests the braking components are being run to their limits rather than replaced in good time. Inspect the discs for lipping, scoring, and thickness variation, and check whether the pads have been replaced since June 2026. The nearside front tyre bulge flagged in the 2026 failure indicates internal structural failure of the carcass, a defect that can recur if the replacement tyre is not properly specified or if suspension alignment is off. Have the wheel alignment and suspension bushes checked, as uneven tyre wear and structural tyre damage often share a common cause. The tyre history raises further questions. Perished and cracking rear tyres, a nail puncture, and a structural bulge all appeared within a single test session. This cluster of tyre defects suggests the car may have been standing for periods or driven on underinflated tyres, both of which accelerate sidewall deterioration. Check all four tyres for date codes, ensuring none are more than six years old regardless of remaining tread. The damaged nearside rear bumper noted in the 2026 failure should also be inspected for sharp edges or insecure mounting, as this is a pedestrian impact hazard that should have been resolved immediately rather than left to the MOT retest.