2014 Mitsubishi ASX 1.6L Petrol · SP64 XJC

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 15 July 2026, but the overall maintenance trend is concerning and appears to be worsening. There is a recurring pattern of significant braking system failures, including a dangerous parking brake deficiency in 2025 and a further failure in 2026. The emergence of new advisories regarding oil leaks and suspension wear, coupled with a documented history of structural corrosion, suggests a vehicle that is beginning to suffer from deferred maintenance and age-related degradation. With 100,366 miles recorded over twelve years, the vehicle has averaged approximately 8,364 miles per year. This represents a typical usage profile for its age, meaning the drivetrain has not been excessively stressed nor has it suffered from the specific degradation associated with prolonged standing. However, at this mileage threshold, the natural fatigue of rubber components, suspension mounts, and chassis integrity becomes a primary concern, which is clearly reflected in the current MOT advisories. A prospective buyer must pay close attention to the braking system and chassis. The history of corroded brake pipes and fluctuating service brakes, combined with repeated parking brake failures, necessitates a thorough inspection of the brake lines for signs of recent professional replacement rather than temporary repairs. The mention of an undersealed underbody is a particular point of caution, as heavy underseal can sometimes be applied to mask advanced corrosion on the sub-frames and coil springs, both of which have been flagged in previous tests. During a test drive, listen for knocks or clunks from the rear, which would indicate the progression of the worn trailing arm bushes. Further inspection should focus on the front end and engine bay. The perishing and cracking of the front tyres suggest they have exceeded their safe operational lifespan regardless of tread depth and will require immediate replacement. The damaged dust covers on the track rod ends are a critical point, as the ingress of grit will rapidly destroy the ball joints, leading to imprecise steering or failure. Finally, the reported oil leak should be investigated to determine its source, and the service history should be verified to ensure that calendar-based fluid changes have been performed to mitigate the internal wear typical of a vehicle reaching the 100,000-mile mark.