2018 Mitsubishi ASX 2.3L Diesel · SM68 SWK

The Mitsubishi ASX presents a mixed maintenance picture that has deteriorated notably in its most recent test. The October 2025 pass at 51,635 miles carried four advisories, a sharp contrast to the clean records logged in October 2022 and October 2023. The trend is clearly worsening. Corroded front coil springs, corroded brake pipework, corroded brake hose ferrules, and worn front brake discs all surfaced in that latest inspection, suggesting the car has either been sitting for extended periods or has been driven in conditions that accelerate corrosion without adequate underbody protection. None of these items caused a failure, but together they point to deferred undercarriage maintenance. The mileage accumulation is broadly typical for an eight-year-old vehicle, averaging roughly 6,454 miles per year. The progression from 23,500 miles in November 2021 to 30,043 miles in October 2022, then to 38,262 miles in October 2023 and 45,201 miles in October 2024, shows a steady and consistent annual increase of around 6,500 to 7,000 miles. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden jumps in the odometer record. The car appears to have been used regularly rather than sitting idle for long stretches, which makes the corrosion-related advisories in the 2025 test all the more concerning, as they imply environmental exposure or insufficient rust prevention rather than simple age-related deterioration. A buyer should focus the in-person inspection on the underside of the vehicle, particularly the front suspension and braking system. The corroded coil springs flagged in October 2025 warrant close visual examination for cracking or sag, as corrosion on spring steel can precede fatigue failure. The front brake discs were noted as worn, pitted, or scored in both the 2024 and 2025 tests, indicating a persistent issue that may require disc and pad replacement if not already addressed. The corroded nearside front brake pipe and corroded brake hose ferrules raise a flag about the condition of the entire brake line set, especially where rubber hoses meet metal fittings. Any visible surface rust on brake components should be probed to determine whether it has penetrated into structural areas. Beyond the braking system, the inside-edge tyre wear noted on both front wheels in the November 2021 test suggests possible tracking or suspension geometry issues that may have recurred. A buyer should check the inner edges of the front tyres for uneven wear and have the alignment and suspension bushes inspected. The sill covers and under trays noted in earlier tests may have concealed corrosion, so removing them to examine the sills and subframes is advisable. Overall, the car is roadworthy on paper, but the clustering of corrosion and wear advisories in the latest test signals that a thorough mechanical inspection is essential before purchase.