2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Dynamic 4X4 CVT 1.5L Petrol · WM69 LUO

The most recent DVSA examination on 24 January 2026 recorded a fail with dangerous defects concerning the braking system, specifically that both front and rear brake pads were found to be less than 1.5 mm thick, with a related major defect noting that brake performance was unable to be tested. A pass was issued on the same date immediately following, suggesting the rectification work was completed on site. Despite this, the presence of dangerous brake pad wear at MOT is a notable concern, as pads at that thickness are at the absolute minimum legal limit and would have been close to metal-on-metal contact, potentially damaging the discs. Earlier tests in 2025 and 2023 returned clean passes with no advisories, while 2024 carried advisories for nearside and offside front tyres being worn close to the legal limit and on their edges. The maintenance trend is therefore broadly stable in terms of advisories, but the sudden appearance of dangerous brake wear at the latest test warrants close scrutiny, as it may indicate that the braking system has not been inspected or serviced proactively between MOTs. With the vehicle being a 2020 model and showing 30,433 miles, the annual usage equates to roughly 5,072 miles per year, which is low for a six-year-old car. This pattern of light use means that while wear-related degradation on mechanical components is likely reduced, calendar-based deterioration becomes more relevant. Long periods of standing or short journeys can lead to issues such as brake disc corrosion, caliper seizure, oil dilution from infrequent warm-ups, and 12V battery depletion. Any significant gaps in the recorded mileage progression should ideally be checked against the service book to ensure routine maintenance has been performed on a time basis rather than purely mileage intervals, particularly the CVT transmission fluid, brake fluid, and coolant, all of which have finite service life regardless of distance covered. The recurring tyre advisories for front edge wear are mechanically significant, as this typically points to a suspension geometry or alignment issue rather than simple tyre ageing. The buyer should inspect the front suspension for worn components including control arm bushes, wishbone bushes, drop links, and track rod ends, as any excessive play will accelerate uneven tyre wear. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and pay attention to any pulling to one side or vagueness in the steering, both of which would suggest alignment or component wear issues that should be rectified. Given the low mileage, a thorough inspection of the tyres for sidewall perishing and cracking is advisable, as rubber degrades with age even when tread depth remains adequate, and tyres fitted in 2020 or earlier may now be approaching the six-year replacement threshold regardless of wear. The dangerous brake pad defect recorded at the most recent test should be verified by confirming the date and mileage of the replacement, ideally through a recent invoice or service record. The buyer should also ask whether new brake pads have been fitted, and crucially, whether the brake discs were inspected or replaced at the same time, as running pads down to below 1.5 mm frequently results in grooved or scored discs that compromise future braking performance. On a test drive, the brakes should feel firm and progressive without any shudder through the pedal or steering wheel, which would indicate disc runout or warping, and there should be no grinding or squealing noises under light or heavy application. Additionally, given the low annual mileage, the buyer should confirm the condition and age of the 12V battery, check for any signs of brake caliper binding or seized sliders from standing, and verify the CVT transmission fluid condition, as these are common areas of concern for low-mileage automatic vehicles that may have experienced extended periods of inactivity.