Mitsubishi

ASX XA-XD inspection checklist

2010-2026 · 13 things to check before you buy, taken from this car's known problems.

All engines

highCVT fluid neglect (first-generation petrol cars)

Look for: Mitsubishi's 'lifetime' CVT fluid claim leads many owners to never change it; the fluid degrades, accelerating the shudder-and-fail pattern that defines the ASX. The single most important maintenance item on a used petrol ASX.

If you find it: Change to correct Mitsubishi CVT fluid every ~60,000km; insist on a fluid-change history when buying.

From 60k+ km · ~$250-500 (service) / $3000-7000 (failure)

highTakata airbag inflator recall (relevant build dates)

Look for: Mitsubishi was part of the compulsory Australian Takata airbag recall. Certain early-build ASX inflators using phase-stabilised ammonium nitrate can rupture and fire metal fragments into the cabin in a crash.

If you find it: Check the VIN on the Mitsubishi Australia recall page; rectification is free at any Mitsubishi dealer. Confirm completion before purchase.

Any · Free (recall)

2.0L 4B11 petrol

highCVT jerkiness, shudder and failure

Look for: The INVECS-III CVT (with six fixed stepped ratios) is the ASX's biggest weak point. Owners report jerky take-up, shudder, delayed response and whine under load, progressing to slipping or failure - more common on cars run with neglected or never-changed fluid, and worse on early (2011-2015) examples.

If you find it: Use only the correct Mitsubishi CVT fluid and change it every ~60,000km (Mitsubishi's lifetime claim is optimistic). Pre-purchase: drive from cold, feel for shudder/hesitation, and ask for fluid-change records. Budget for a rebuilt/replacement unit on a tired car.

From 100k-150k km (signs from 80k) · ~$3000-7000 (replacement)

mediumExcessive engine oil consumption

Look for: Higher-km 4B11s can burn oil through tired piston rings/valve stem seals, needing regular top-ups; if ignored it accelerates wear and can starve the engine.

If you find it: Monitor and top up between services; ring/valve-seal work or short-block for heavy consumers. Check oil level on inspection and look for blue smoke.

From 120k+ km · ~$200-3500

mediumAccessory drive belt jumps off pulleys

Look for: The serpentine/accessory belt that drives the water pump and power-steering pump can jump off its pulleys, leaving the car with no power steering and no coolant circulation - risking overheating if not noticed.

If you find it: Replace belt and check tensioner/idler and pulley alignment; inspect belt condition at every service.

Any · ~$150-600

mediumTiming chain stretch / cold-start rattle

Look for: While chain-driven for life, neglected high-km 4B11s can develop chain stretch and a brief rattle on cold start from a worn tensioner/guides; left unattended it can cause timing issues.

If you find it: Replace chain, tensioner and guides if rattle persists beyond the first second or two; keep oil changes regular to preserve the tensioner.

From 150k+ km · ~$800-2000

2.4L 4B12 petrol

highCVT wear and shudder

Look for: Shares the INVECS-III CVT with the 2.0 and the same failure modes - shudder, jerkiness and eventual slipping, accelerated by the heavier engine and skipped fluid changes.

If you find it: Correct Mitsubishi CVT fluid changed ~60,000km; test-drive from cold; replace/rebuild on a slipping unit.

From 100k-150k km · ~$3000-7000

mediumEngine oil consumption at higher km

Look for: Like the 4B11, the 4B12 can begin consuming oil as rings and valve seals age.

If you find it: Monitor level, top up, and address rings/seals if consumption is heavy.

From 120k+ km · ~$200-3500

1.8L 4N13 DI-D turbo diesel

highDPF clogging and fuel dilution from short trips

Look for: Short stop-start running prevents the DPF reaching regeneration temperature; incomplete regens dump diesel into the sump (fuel dilution), thinning the oil and clogging the filter, leading to limp mode and possible engine damage if the oil level rises and is ignored.

If you find it: Give it a 30+ minute highway run regularly to complete regens; monitor oil level (don't let it rise); manual/forced regen or DPF clean if blocked; change oil if diluted.

Any (urban use) · ~$500-3000

mediumEGR valve / intake carbon build-up

Look for: Soot accumulates in the EGR valve and intake, causing rough running, hesitation and fault codes - typical of small modern diesels used mostly in town.

If you find it: EGR and intake clean; favour examples with highway history.

From 100k+ km · ~$300-900

mediumInjector and turbo wear at higher km

Look for: Common-rail injectors and the turbo can wear at higher km, giving smoke, rough idle and lost power.

If you find it: Diesel-specialist injector test/replacement; turbo service or replacement as needed.

From 150k+ km · ~$1500-3500

1.3L turbo petrol (2026 Captur-based)

mediumDual-clutch (EDC) low-speed jerkiness / clutch wear

Look for: RNM-group dry/wet dual-clutch transmissions can shudder or hesitate at crawling speeds and, like all DCTs, can suffer clutch-pack or mechatronic wear. Too new in this badge for AU failure data - use Renault Captur/Megane EDC history as the guide.

If you find it: Adhere to fluid/clutch service intervals; software updates; clutch or mechatronic replacement if it develops shudder or fault codes.

Unknown (new model); watch from 60k+ km · ~$1500-4000 (clutch/mechatronic)

medium1.3 TCe oil consumption / timing drive (model-dependent)

Look for: Some Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi 1.3 TCe applications have reported oil consumption and, on certain variants, wet-belt timing concerns. Verify the exact timing drive and any service campaigns for the AU build before buying used.

If you find it: Monitor oil level between services; follow the maker's timing-drive replacement interval if a wet belt is fitted; check for any recalls/campaigns.

Unknown (new); monitor early · ~$200-3000

3 minor things (low severity)

lowInfotainment / touchscreen freezing and electrical glitches

Look for: Owners report the media/touchscreen unit freezing or rebooting (notably ~2019 cars) and assorted minor electrical gremlins (service-reminder light quirks, sensor faults).

If you find it: Software update or head-unit replacement; diagnose individual electrical faults with a scan tool.

Any · ~$150-800

lowSuspension bushes / shocks and ride harshness

Look for: Worn shock absorbers and suspension bushes cause excess bouncing, swaying and clunks on bumpy roads on higher-km first-gen cars.

If you find it: Replace shocks and bushes as a set; standard small-SUV running-gear maintenance.

From 100k+ km · ~$300-1000

lowWater ingress through door seals

Look for: Failed or poorly seated door seals can let water into the cabin, giving damp carpets and musty smells.

If you find it: Reseal or replace door seals; dry and treat carpets; check for blocked drains.

Any · ~$100-500

From FlamingCars' Mitsubishi ASX guide. It's a checklist of known problems, not a replacement for a professional pre-purchase inspection. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.