2006 Mitsubishi Grandis petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Mitsubishi Grandis petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Mitsubishi Grandis petrol than on all cars registered in 2006.

• Headlights2.7× usual
  Mitsubishi Grandis

  35% All 2006 cars

  13.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 11.6%, against 5% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Brake pads2.3× usual
  Mitsubishi Grandis

  18.7% All 2006 cars

  8.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 2% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Exhaust system2.1× usual
  Mitsubishi Grandis

  19.5% All 2006 cars

  9.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 2.6% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Engine warning light4.3× usual
  Mitsubishi Grandis

  11.6% All 2006 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 11.6%, against 2.7% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Number plates2× usual
  Mitsubishi Grandis

  12.6% All 2006 cars

  6.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.6% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Common 2006 Mitsubishi Grandis petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Mitsubishi Grandis petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Lights and electrics
  52% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Suspension
  50% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Tyres
  37% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  37% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Exhaust and emissions
  22% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  14% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 Mitsubishi Grandis petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2006 Mitsubishi Grandis petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2006 Mitsubishi Grandis petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2006 Mitsubishi Grandis petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?