2016 Mitsubishi Mirage 1.2L Petrol · LC16 WDF

A pattern of tyre pressure monitoring system faults sits at the centre of this Mirage's MOT record, with the same major defect appearing on consecutive failures in November 2024 and November 2025 despite the vehicle passing its most recent examination on 22 May 2026 with no defects recorded. While that clean pass and the earlier November 2022 and October 2023 pass results suggest a car generally capable of meeting roadworthiness standards, the two failed attempts within twelve months demonstrate that intermittent electronic faults have been a recurring feature rather than a one-off. The presence of multiple advisories on both failure notices, including thin front brake pads, an oil-misting rear shock absorber and a corroded front coil spring, indicates that consumable wear and chassis component deterioration have also been progressing quietly in the background between tests. With 44,295 miles recorded over ten years, this Mirage has covered approximately 4,430 miles annually, which is notably below typical usage for a city car of this age. Such low mileage raises questions about whether the vehicle has been used primarily for short urban trips or has experienced periods of inactivity between tests, particularly given that the recorded mileage increments between consecutive MOTs are modest. Lower annual accumulation can reduce wear on major drivetrain components but may also accelerate certain age-related issues such as corrosion on exposed suspension parts, drying of rubber bushes and seals, and degradation of brake fluid and tyres through prolonged static standing. The advisories on coil spring corrosion and shock absorber oil misting are consistent with the type of age-related deterioration that accumulates regardless of mileage, suggesting that even light use has not entirely spared the chassis from environmental exposure. For a prospective buyer, the TPMS fault deserves particular attention because it has triggered two separate major failures, and on a test drive the system should be confirmed operational with all four tyre pressures registering correctly on the dashboard display. A mechanic should ideally interrogate the system to establish whether the issue lies with a sensor battery, a damaged sensor or the control module, as recurring TPMS faults can stem from underlying wheel or tyre work. The advisory on the nearside rear shock absorber oil misting should be physically inspected for fresh seepage around the seal, and the offside front coil spring corrosion warrants a close visual check of the spring coils and its mounting seats for any flaking that has progressed beyond surface oxidation. The front brake pads flagged as wearing thin in late 2025 should be measured for remaining friction material, and the discs checked for lipping or scoring since pad wear often coincides with disc wear. Finally, the nearside front tyre edge wear noted in October 2023 and the cut that caused that failure may indicate tracking misalignment or kerbing damage, so a test drive should include a straight-line stability check with the steering centred, and the tyres themselves examined for uneven shoulder wear that could recur if geometry remains uncorrected.