2010 Mitsubishi Asx — MOT failures & pass rate
10,800 MOT tests on the 2010 Mitsubishi Asx are in this dataset, and 75.6% of them passed. That is effectively the same as small SUVs of a similar age (24.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (12.0%) and brakes (9.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, exhaust system and position lamp — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 625 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 26.5% versus 4.8%.
The petrol cars hold up better: 22.7% fail against 25.1% for diesel, a 2.5-point gap across 10,800 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 41.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 22.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 12.0% | 1,295 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.0% | 974 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 8.5% | 914 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.5% | 599 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.3% | 467 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.3% | 459 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 625 |
| 2 | Exhaust system | 595 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 592 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 489 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 337 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 332 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 41.0% | 4,432 |
| 2 | Suspension | 36.4% | 3,931 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.3% | 2,953 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 12.3% | 1,334 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.3% | 1,332 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.7% | 1,150 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 42 | 4.8% |
| 30-60k | 556 | 14.2% |
| 60-90k | 2,398 | 20.2% |
| 90-120k | 4,060 | 25.1% |
| 120-150k | 2,667 | 28.7% |
| 150k+ | 1,076 | 26.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 7,603 | 25.1% |
| Petrol | 3,197 | 22.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,388 | 22.6% |
| 2022 | 2,316 | 22.9% |
| 2023 | 2,242 | 24.3% |
| 2024 | 2,052 | 26.4% |
| 2025 | 1,802 | 26.7% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Asx
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 12.0% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (12.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (9.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (8.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2010 Mitsubishi Asxs pass their MOT?
75.6% of the 10,800 2010 Mitsubishi Asx MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Mitsubishi Asx?
Suspension, recorded in 12.0% of tests, followed by brakes (9.0%).
Does the 2010 Asx get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.8% in the 0-30k band to 26.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,800 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.