Are Mitsubishi cars reliable?
Looking for your next car without breaking the bank? You may have shortlisted a Mitsubishi, so let us answer your questions about each model's reliability
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Mitsubishi is a Japanese manufacturer that’s been building cars for more than 50 years, and is best known for its strong lineup of SUVs and rugged off-roaders.
Despite leaving the British market in 2021 due to poor sales, its cars remain popular among used car buyers and the company continues to sell cars in other regions, including nearby France, where it has entered into a partnership with Renault.
Don’t be put off by the fact that Mitsubishi has closed its doors over here, though – it still honours the five-year/62,500-mile warranty that it provided with new cars.
What makes a vehicle reliable?
When you’re buying a used car, you’ll want to make sure that what you’re getting is worthy of your hard-earned cash – especially given that some used cars might have little or no original manufacturer warranty remaining.
You can expect a reliable car to last a good few years without having to fork out for any major work, especially if it has been serviced correctly by previous owners.
Ideally, all you’ll need to cover are the consumables and other regular expenses, such as tyres, brakes, MOTs, servicing, fuel and insurance.
It’s also worth considering how easy a car is to live with on a daily basis when it comes to factors like fuel economy, car tax, or its emissions rating (which determines how much you pay in low-emission zones like London’s ULEZ).
Besides mechanical reliability, you’ll also want to make sure it’s a good fit for your family, with all the right safety features that are reflected in its Euro NCAP rating.
Look for a car that’s been awarded four or five stars for the best safety equipment.
Are Mitsubishi good cars?
Mitsubishi Mirage reliability
 "Mitsubishi Mirage")
The Mirage is a small hatchback around the same size as a Suzuki Swift. When it first went on sale, it was awarded a four-star rating by Euro NCAP.
You’ll find it available with an economical 1.2-litre petrol engine with both manual and automatic gearboxes, but it’s worth noting the automatic models use a CVT gearbox, which is best suited to a more gentle driving style.
Given the size and type of this vehicle, many Mirage owners might not have ventured too far away from town, so you should be able to find ones that haven’t covered many miles that could still be well within warranty.
Mitsubishi ASX reliability
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The ASX was on sale from 2010 until Mitsubishi’s withdrawal from the UK, during which time it underwent several facelifts to keep it looking sharp.
When it was tested in 2011, it received a five-star Euro NCAP rating thanks to its good protection for both adults and children.
Power comes from a range of petrol and diesel engines, including a tried-and-tested, economical 1.6-litre diesel unit borrowed from Peugeot.
There are also four-wheel-drive models if you live in a particularly wet part of the country or you find yourself towing frequently.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
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Don’t be fooled by its quirky design features, such as the split-design boot – the Eclipse Cross is still a practical car with that all-important SUV appeal.
You’ll only find it available with a 1.5-litre petrol engine, which is a shame because other countries got plug-in hybrid versions of the Eclipse Cross, but it still promises good mpg figures and is a worthy alternative to diesel power.
This is another Mitsubishi car with a full five-star rating from Euro NCAP, but because it was carried out much later than some of its siblings, it’s actually considered safer.
That’s because Euro NCAP regularly raises the bar as better safety equipment becomes available.
Mitsubishi Outlander and Outlander PHEV
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This popular SUV is available in five- and seven-seat formats and is at home wherever you need it, whether in a supermarket car park or a muddy festival car park.
Adding to its flexibility is that it was available with a plug-in hybrid setup, which might just have been one of Mitsubishi’s best decisions.
The carmaker continued to sell these like hotcakes for years, even when competition really started to ramp up, and there are plenty of used models to pick from.
The Outlander PHEV was available with 2.0- and 2.4-litre engines, with the latter becoming available in its later years, so look for one of these for the most efficient hybrid tech and reliability.
Whether you go for petrol, diesel or hybrid power, you can be sure that your family is safe in the back of a car that was awarded… you guessed it, a five-star Euro NCAP rating.
Mitsubishi Shogun Sport
 "Mitsubishi Shogun Sport")
What the Shogun Sport lacks in luxury, it more than makes up for in ability – it’s a large SUV that’s based on the L200 pickup, so expect full off-road capabilities.
The 2.4-litre diesel engine is good for pulling thanks to 430Nm of torque, and the eight-speed automatic gearbox makes driving light work while proving more efficient than the five-speed auto it replaced in the previous generation.
The car hasn’t actually been tested in Europe, but in other parts of the world, it received a five-star rating.
That being said, the L200 on which it’s based got a four-star rating.
Mitsubishi L200
 "Mitsubishi L200")
Think pick-up truck, and you’ll probably picture an L200. It’s one of those classic commercial vehicles that has graced our agricultural landscapes for decades.
Today, however, it’s much more consumer-focused than the back-to-basics truck it was when it first launched in the 1970s.
Ok, it did only get a four-star Euro NCAP rating (which is still commendable), but the same is true of many other pick-ups because of their commercial nature, including the Nissan Navara (four stars), Toyota Hilux (three stars without optional safety kit), and older versions of the Isuzu D-Max (four stars).
What’s more, real-world customers have posted glowing reports about their experiences with the pick-up, and let’s face it, chances are they’re pushing their L200 to limits far beyond what a regular road car might be faced with.