2018 Mitsubishi Mirage — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage passed 90.7% of its 5,688 recorded MOT tests. Against superminis of a similar age (11.2% fail rate), the 2018 Mirage comes out 1.9pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.5%) and brakes (3.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, brake pads and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 190 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.2% in the 0-30k band and 19.3% in the 60-90k band, a 12.2-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 18.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 12.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.5% | 255 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.9% | 223 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.4% | 195 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.8% | 157 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.6% | 32 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.5% | 31 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 190 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 189 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 135 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 125 |
| 5 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 72 |
| 6 | Washers | 49 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 18.1% | 1,032 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.8% | 900 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.3% | 243 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 165 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.1% | 120 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 79 |
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 | 3,911 | 7.2% |
| 30-60k | 1,476 | 13.0% |
| 60-90k | 274 | 19.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,136 | 6.6% |
| 2022 | 1,161 | 9.0% |
| 2023 | 1,124 | 8.7% |
| 2024 | 1,112 | 9.8% |
| 2025 | 1,155 | 12.1% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Mirage
On a 2018 Mirage, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.5% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (3.9% 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.
- Visibility (3.4% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2018 Mitsubishi Mirages pass their MOT?
90.7% of the 5,688 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage?
Tyres, recorded in 4.5% of tests, followed by brakes (3.9%).
Does the 2018 Mirage get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.2% in the 0-30k band to 19.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,688 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.