2006 Mitsubishi Grandis 2.0L Diesel · WN06 FRF

The 2006 Mitsubishi Grandis most recently passed its MOT on 13 December 2025, but only after a fail the day before that addressed two major front suspension defects, both nearside and offside lower suspension arm ball joints recorded as excessively worn. This is a critical area of concern because the previous year's test on 9 September 2024 had already produced a dangerous failure for sub-1.5mm rear brake pads on both sides alongside a major defect on the nearside front lower steering linkage ball joint, and an advisory noting play in the offside steering rack inner joint. The recurring pattern across 2023, 2024, and 2025 of advisories and then outright failures on front suspension ball joints and steering linkage components points to a worsening rather than stable trend, particularly as the ball joint defects escalated from slight play at the 2023 test to dangerous or major categories at subsequent attempts. The repeated headlamp lens advisories across virtually every test from 2021 onwards are minor and largely cosmetic, but they confirm a vehicle whose age is beginning to show through on multiple front-end systems rather than isolated incidents. With 98,061 miles recorded over approximately twenty years, the annual mileage averages around 4,900 miles, which is markedly low for a vehicle of this age. Such low usage often suggests extended periods of standing, whether through second-car status, post-retirement use, or periods of off-road storage, all of which have direct mechanical consequences. Standing vehicles are particularly susceptible to brake disc corrosion, brake caliper seizure due to seized pistons or slide pins, and degradation of the brake hydraulic fluid through moisture absorption. Equally, infrequent driving prevents the alternator from fully recharging the 12V battery, leading to sulphation and reduced battery life, and allows ageing components such as suspension bushes, coil springs, and anti-roll bar drop links to deteriorate from corrosion and elastomer hardening rather than wear. The low recorded mileage should therefore be viewed not as a guarantee of mechanical soundness, but as a prompt to examine thoroughly the consequences of calendar age rather than distance-driven wear. In terms of physical checks before purchase, the buyer should jack the vehicle and inspect both front lower suspension arms, the steering rack inner joints, and track rod ends for any free play or worn ball joint boots that might not have been fully resolved by the December 2025 rectification. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front suspension on uneven surfaces, particularly over speed humps and on full lock, and feel for vagueness or wander through the steering wheel which would indicate continued wear in the steering rack inner joints flagged since 2020. Inspect the rear brake discs for corrosion lipping and confirm the calipers release fully without binding, as the 2024 dangerous brake pad failure suggests rear brake servicing was only just performed and the calipers should be checked for the seizing that originally caused the pad wear imbalance. The front and rear brake fluid should be sampled for moisture contamination given the calendar age, and the coolant examined for degradation as Mitsubishi recommenders typically schedule changes every four to five years irrespective of mileage. Beyond the documented items, attention should be paid to age-related items not recorded on the MOT but entirely consistent with a twenty-year-old vehicle. Inspect all four tyres, including those recently replaced, for sidewall perishing and cracking from UV exposure, and verify that none are older than five years by checking the DOT date codes on the sidewalls, as low-mileage tyres often outgas and harden before they wear out. Lift the bonnet and check the 12V battery's resting voltage and date stamp, plan for imminent replacement if it is the original or more than six years old, and examine all rubber components including drive belts, coolant hoses, and the timing belt service history, as a 2006 Mitsubishi Grandis with this age will be well beyond any scheduled cambelt replacement interval and a fresh service record is essential. Finally, examine the underbody and jacking points for structural corrosion, particularly around the rear axle mounting areas, and confirm a complete service book with stamps documenting time-based servicing such as automatic transmission fluid changes, which on a low-mileage but elderly vehicle are frequently overlooked but critical to long-term drivetrain durability.