Used car guide

2012 Mitsubishi I: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Mitsubishi I first registered in 2012: we looked at the 181 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 181 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

181MOTs of 2012 cars, done in 2023–2025
83%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%)
3,200typical miles a year
4.6×the usual rate for track rod ends

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Mitsubishi I?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Mitsubishi I than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Track rod ends4.6× usual
    Mitsubishi I
    19.9% All 2012 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 2.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 2012 Mitsubishi I MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Mitsubishi I MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    43% 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.

  • Brakes
    27% 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.

  • Tyres
    27% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    7% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    1% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Mitsubishi I

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

  1. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the 2012 Mitsubishi I as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mitsubishi I?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Mitsubishi I compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2011237Suspension 38%
2008397Suspension 40%
2007362Suspension 38%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Mitsubishi I cars first registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score