2011 Mitsubishi Asx — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2011 Mitsubishi Asx passed 78.4% of its 13,541 recorded MOT tests. Against small SUVs of a similar age (23.6% fail rate), the 2011 Asx comes out 2.0pp better. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (9.9%) and brakes (7.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, position lamp and exhaust system — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 667 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 4.4% in the 0-30k band and 26.8% in the 150k+ band, a 22.3-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.2pp more often than petrol ones (22.8% vs 19.7%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 37.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 17.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.9% | 1,342 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.7% | 1,040 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 7.4% | 996 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.3% | 581 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.6% | 491 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.6% | 486 |
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 | 667 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 612 |
| 3 | Exhaust system | 551 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 487 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 431 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 358 |
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 | 37.6% | 5,096 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.9% | 4,323 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.5% | 3,453 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.9% | 1,345 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.3% | 1,259 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.6% | 1,027 |
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 | 90 | 4.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,062 | 11.7% |
| 60-90k | 3,896 | 19.3% |
| 90-120k | 4,891 | 22.7% |
| 120-150k | 2,624 | 25.5% |
| 150k+ | 975 | 26.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 8,168 | 22.8% |
| Petrol | 5,373 | 19.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,825 | 17.9% |
| 2022 | 2,865 | 20.2% |
| 2023 | 2,789 | 21.9% |
| 2024 | 2,642 | 23.6% |
| 2025 | 2,420 | 24.9% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Asx
On a 2011 Asx, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (9.9% 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 (7.7% 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 (7.4% 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 2011 Mitsubishi Asxs pass their MOT?
78.4% of the 13,541 2011 Mitsubishi Asx MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Mitsubishi Asx?
Suspension, recorded in 9.9% of tests, followed by brakes (7.7%).
Does the 2011 Asx get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.4% in the 0-30k band to 26.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 13,541 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.