Thirteen Mitsubishis in the Instant Auto Reach Inspection Index split cleanly in two. The newer Outlanders and an ASX were very good. The older and harder-worked ones carried some of the most serious findings in the dataset.
| Instant Auto Reach Case File | Vehicle | Odometer | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1FA542C | 2023 ASX | 11,504 km | Very good, but previous left-rear collision repair |
| A2456D7C | 2022 Outlander LS | 48,695 km | Very good, control arm rear bushes perished |
| A299B620 | 2022 Outlander | 91,770 km | Very good, dealer serviced |
| A2A155BA | 2021 Outlander | 94,341 km | Very good, stored codes cleared and did not return |
| A2777AD6 | 2021 Triton | 108,021 km | Very good |
| A26F5DC9 | 2021 Triton | 110,698 km | Poor, critical engine blow-by |
| A24294DD | 2017 Lancer | 100,478 km | Fair, pulls left, front wheel bearing noise |
| A28DF182 | 2013 Pajero | 283,654 km | Reasonable, oil leaks, engine bay recently washed |
| A29B770F | 2010 Pajero | 241,885 km | Cracked rear diff mount, intermittent EGR fault |
| A21E9480 | 2007 Outlander | 227,559 km | Fair to good, roadworthy items needed |
| A29E2C3C | 2006 Lancer | 197,333 km | Fair, oil-contaminated coolant |
| A29B2165 | 2003 Outlander | 265,340 km | Poor, signs of head gasket trouble |
| A20D4D1F | 2005 Fuso truck | 352,497 km | Poor, critical blow-by |
The two Tritons
Same model. Same year. 2,677 km apart. One was rated very good with dealer service history. The other had white vapour and oil mist coming from the oil filler and oil filled well above maximum. We tell that story in two 2021 Tritons, two different cars.
The lesson is not that Tritons are good or bad. It is that the individual vehicle is what you are buying.
Cooling system warnings on older cars
Two older cars had signs pointing at the head gasket:
- The 2006 Lancer had low, dirty coolant mixed with oil. We advised a flush, a compression test and no purchase until the cause was known.
- The 2003 Outlander had water marks under the oil cap. It was also unregistered with no permit, so it could not be road tested properly. Our inspector wrote that he would not buy it.
A scan tool sees what a test drive cannot
On the 2010 Pajero, the scan showed an EGR fault. We tested the valve with the diagnostic tool and it worked some of the time and not others. The seller already had a replacement valve to fit. That is a fair outcome, and one the buyer could only reach by knowing.
A nearly new car with a past
The 2023 ASX had 11,504 km and service books. Paint depth testing showed the left rear guard had been repainted and the rear bumper replaced. No structural damage was found, and the car drove well. It is still something a buyer should know before agreeing a price.
A washed engine bay
The 2013 Pajero had oil contamination around the rocker cover and transmission pan, and an engine bay that had clearly been washed. See how we handle that in oil leaks on used cars.
For a Triton or Pajero, book a ute and 4WD inspection. For anything else, a pre-purchase inspection. The wider numbers are in what 181 Melbourne inspections found.
Book online or call 0402 220 178. Mobile across Greater Melbourne, 7 days.
Same Model, Same Year, Opposite Result
Two 2021 Tritons, 2,677 km apart. One was a buy. The other had critical engine blow-by. From the outside they looked the same, and that is exactly why you inspect the vehicle in front of you, not the model.
We check blow-by on a warm engine, read the coolant and oil, scan every module and test the 4WD. It takes minutes to find what could cost you an engine.
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