2013 Mitsubishi Mirage 1.2L Petrol · GJ63 VMM

The Mitsubishi Mirage presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent test on 19 September 2025 at 92,114 miles passed cleanly with zero defects, which is a positive sign for its current roadworthiness. However, that clean result came only one day after a failure on 18 September 2025 at 92,112 miles, where the tester flagged a nearside front tyre with a structural bulge, a low headlamp aim, and a worn offside front tyre. The rapid retest suggests the previous owner addressed those specific items promptly rather than ignoring them. Looking further back, the July 2025 failure at 92,050 miles was more concerning, with seven separate defects including a perished fuel cap seal, a damaged bumper, an insecure headlamp, a distorted wheel, and multiple tyre issues. The gap between the clean July 2024 pass at 77,076 miles and the July 2025 failure at 92,050 miles indicates a period of neglect or deferred maintenance, after which the owner appears to have brought the car back into acceptable condition for the September 2025 pass. The mileage pattern tells an unusual story. Between the July 2024 pass at 77,076 miles and the July 2025 failure at 92,050 miles, the car covered roughly 15,000 miles in a single year, well above the typical annual figure of around 7,000 miles for a vehicle of this age. That spike could reflect a change in ownership or a sudden increase in daily use. The near-zero mileage change between the September 2025 failure and the following day's pass, just two miles apart, confirms the retest was conducted immediately after repairs. The overall annual average of approximately 7,086 miles remains typical for a 13-year-old Mirage, but the uneven distribution suggests the car experienced a period of heavier use followed by very light use or standing. A buyer should pay close attention to the front suspension and wheel condition. The July 2025 failure recorded a slightly distorted nearside front wheel, which can indicate impact damage from potholes or kerbing. Combined with the recurring tyre defects, including a structural bulge and edge wear, there is a pattern suggesting the front end has taken knocks. Inspect the inner sidewalls of all four tyres carefully, and check for any visible rim damage or uneven tread wear that could point to worn suspension bushes or tracking issues. The insecure headlamp and low aim noted in both 2025 tests may reflect loose mounting points or a bumper that was not fully refitted after the July 2025 damage. Examine the nearside front bumper alignment and mounting points for signs of poor repair. The perished fuel cap seal from the July 2025 test should have been replaced, but verify the seal is intact and the cap clicks firmly into place to avoid evaporative emissions failures at the next test. Given the clean pass in September 2025, the immediate defects appear resolved, but the cluster of issues in mid-2025 warrants a thorough inspection of the front-end structural integrity and suspension components before purchase.