2010 Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0L Diesel · WN60 FXP

This 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer passed its most recent MOT in December 2025 with a list of advisory items, but it failed the day before on two failed position lamps, worn front brake pads, and a dangerously worn nearside front track rod end ball joint. The fact that the track rod end went from a "slight play" advisory in October 2024 to an "excessive play" failure in December 2025 is a clear sign that this steering component has deteriorated rapidly and was not addressed at the previous service. This is the most urgent safety risk on the car. The MOT history shows a recurring pattern of tyre deterioration, particularly cracking, perishing, and uneven wear on the rear tyres, which has been noted since 2023. The rear coil springs are also showing surface corrosion, and the brake pipes and hose ferrules are corroding. These are all age-related issues that will need attention soon, but the track rod end failure is the standout red flag because it directly affects steering control and could have been prevented with earlier replacement. The mileage of 121,582 miles over 16 years works out to about 7,600 miles per year, which is typical for a car of this age. There is no sign of abnormally high or low usage, so the wear pattern is consistent with normal everyday driving rather than hard use or long periods of standing. The corrosion on brake components and springs is typical for a 15-year-old car in the UK, but the rapid progression of the track rod end play suggests that previous advisories were ignored, and the car may have been driven with a developing fault for some time. The overall condition trend appears to be worsening.