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Mitsubishi1991–2023 Critical issues documented

Mitsubishi Space Star: common faults & what to check

Thinking about buying a used Mitsubishi Space Star (1991–2023) in New Zealand? We've documented 9 known faults for this model spanning body & rust, engine, transmission, and cooling. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Every one is listed below with its symptoms and repair cost, and each has its own page with where to look and what to ask the seller. Free, no account needed.

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  • Odometer history
  • Money owing
  • Reported stolen
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  • NZ owned and operated

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9

Documented faults

Critical

Most serious

$500–$2,200

Typical repair

5

Systems covered

Which Mitsubishi Space Star are you looking at?

1 generation variant documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

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Mitsubishi Space Star

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Can't confirm for this car

Mitsubishi Space Star

Nothing has been narrowed yet, so nothing below is a claim about a particular car. Pick a year and an engine to see which faults apply.

Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.

matched on no vehicle context

What to look out for

The checks worth doing on a Mitsubishi Space Star before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

  • Costly issue

    During test drive: accelerate gently from standstill between 10–40 km/h and hold steady throttle.

    See why

    CVT INVECS-III Push-Belt Judder on Acceleration

    The INVECS-III CVT fitted to A03A/A05A Mirages uses a push-belt running between variable-diameter pulleys. When the dedicated CVT fluid (Mitsubishi SP-III/DiaQueen CVTF-J1) degrades — typically after 60,000+ km or in stop-start city use — the belt micro-slips on the pulley faces, producing a pronounced shudder during light-throttle take-off and low-speed cruising. Mitsubishi issued TSB MUT-0120CVTF covering an urgent fluid drain-and-refill procedure. Many cars reach NZ/AU with fluid never changed, making judder almost universal in high-mileage examples.

    What you would notice

    • Rhythmic shudder or vibration felt through the cabin at 10–40 km/h light throttle
    • Hesitation then lurch when pulling away from traffic lights
    • Shudder worsens when engine is cold and diminishes (but does not disappear) once fully warm
    • Occasional harsh engagement when selecting Drive from Park after the vehicle has sat overnight
    • Burnt or discoloured CVT fluid on inspection

    Typically $180–$6,500 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Cold-start the engine after it has been off overnight.

    See why

    3A92 Timing Chain Guide Wear — Cold-Start Rattle

    The 1.2 L 3A92 three-cylinder uses a plastic-composite timing chain guide and tensioner rail on the wet side of the engine. In production years 2012–2017 the guide material is insufficiently robust for the short oil-film build-up time at cold start, leading to accelerated wear. The worn guide allows the chain to whip against the aluminium cover, producing a characteristic metallic rattle for the first 5–30 seconds after a cold start. If left unaddressed the guide can fragment, depositing plastic into the oil sump; in severe cases the chain skips timing and causes bent valves. Mitsubishi issued a revised guide kit (part prefix MD-series) as a running production change from approximately 2018.

    What you would notice

    • Metallic rattling noise at cold start that clears within 30 seconds
    • Rattle is louder in cold ambient temperatures (below 10°C)
    • Engine oil inspection reveals fine plastic or metallic particles
    • Check Engine light with camshaft/crankshaft correlation code (P0016/P0017) in advanced cases
    • Visible blue or white smoke on start-up if guide debris has contaminated piston rings

    Typically $650–$2,200 to put right.

  • Common issue

    With engine idling, switch AC on and listen for a single sharp click from the compressor clutch engaging, followed by smooth quiet operation.

    See why

    Air Conditioning Compressor Bearing and Clutch Failure

    The AC compressor fitted to both 3A90 and 3A92 Mirage variants (supplied by Sanden or Denso depending on production run) is a known premature failure point. The electromagnetic clutch coil burns out or the front bearing seizes, often before 100,000 km. When the clutch seizes, the compressor locks up and snaps the serpentine drive belt, leaving the vehicle without charging and cooling. In NZ/AU summer conditions the failure rate accelerates due to prolonged AC use. Mitsubishi carried out a quiet warranty extension on AC compressors on some 2014–2016 models in certain markets following elevated warranty claims.

    What you would notice

    • Grinding or rumbling noise from the front of the engine that increases with AC on
    • AC system blowing warm air despite compressor engaging
    • Serpentine belt shredding or snapping suddenly (seized compressor)
    • Battery warning light and loss of power steering (loss of drive belt causing alternator failure)
    • Intermittent AC clutch engagement — clicking on and off rapidly

    Typically $700–$1,800 to put right.

  • Common issue

    During test drive: engage first gear slowly on a slight uphill and release the clutch progressively.

    See why

    5-Speed Manual Clutch Plate Shudder and Premature Wear

    The 5-speed manual gearbox fitted to the Mirage (paired with both 3A90 and 3A92 engines) uses a single-plate dry clutch with an organic friction disc. The disc is undersized relative to the torque demands of stop-start city driving, particularly when drivers rest the foot on the clutch pedal or engage the clutch at high rpm. The result is accelerated glazing of the friction surface and clutch shudder — a low-frequency vibration on take-off that can be mistaken for engine misfire. Multiple owner forum reports indicate clutch replacement becomes necessary before 80,000 km in typical NZ/AU urban-use conditions. The flywheel surface also develops hot-spots requiring resurfacing or replacement.

    What you would notice

    • Vibration or judder through the cabin when taking off from rest in first gear
    • Clutch pedal biting point progressively rising toward fully released position
    • Burning smell from the clutch area during normal urban driving
    • Engine revs rise without proportional increase in vehicle speed under load (clutch slip)
    • Difficulty engaging reverse gear cleanly with a clunk or crunch

    Typically $750–$1,600 to put right.

  • Worth checking

    With the engine running, turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock slowly in a car park.

    See why

    Electric Power Steering (EPS) Motor and Control Unit Fault

    The Mirage uses a column-mounted electric power steering (C-EPS) system. The EPS motor and its dedicated ECU are documented failure items, particularly on 2012–2016 cars driven on rough sealed roads. Common failure modes include the EPS motor brushes wearing out, the torque sensor losing calibration, or the control unit developing internal relay faults. When the EPS ECU detects a fault it disables power assist entirely and illuminates the EPS warning light. Steering reverts to fully manual — still controllable but significantly heavier, particularly at low speed and parking. In some documented cases the fault is intermittent and only appears after the vehicle warms up.

    What you would notice

    • Orange or red EPS/steering warning light illuminating on the dashboard
    • Sudden increase in steering effort (feels like power assist has switched off)
    • Intermittent heavy steering that resolves when the car cools down or is restarted
    • Steering wheel failing to self-centre at road speed
    • Groaning or grinding noise from the steering column when turning at low speed

    Typically $450–$1,400 to put right.

See all 9 documented issuesEverything researched for the Mitsubishi Space Star, including 2 rated critical.
Depends on which engine this Mitsubishi Space Star has — 9Each of these is documented for one particular engine. Pick the year and engine above to see which of them apply.
Engine, transmission & cooling6

01Timing belt neglect on the 4G-series engines — interference design

petrol1991–2003Engine
CommonEngine $500–$1,200 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

Unconfirmed. This entry does not match our record of which engines and years this model was sold with, and is awaiting review. Confirm it against the car before acting on it.

The 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 four-cylinders in this generation of Mirage are belt-driven and are interference designs, which means if the belt breaks the pistons hit the valves and the engine is destroyed. That is the whole risk: the belt itself is a modest scheduled item, and the consequence of skipping it is a bill worth several times what these cars sell for. On an imported car twenty-odd years old with patchy paperwork, the belt's history is frequently unknown, and an unknown belt should be treated as due now rather than assumed good. The water pump is driven by the same belt and is normally replaced at the same time, since the labour is already paid for.

Symptoms to notice

  • Usually none — a timing belt gives little warning before it lets go
  • Occasionally a squeal or rumble from the front of the engine (belt or water pump bearing)
  • Coolant weeping from the front of the engine if the water pump is going
  • No start with the engine turning over freely, after the fact

What to check

This is a paperwork check and it is the most valuable question you can ask about this car: when was the timing belt last changed, at what mileage, and is there an invoice? Treat "I'm not sure" as meaning it is due. Look for a service sticker under the bonnet or in the door jamb with a belt date or mileage. Open the bonnet and look at the front of the engine for coolant weeping or crusty residue around the water pump area, and listen at idle for a rumble or squeal from the front of the engine. Check the coolant level and colour. Ask whether the water pump was done at the same time, since a pump that fails takes the belt with it. Factor the job into your offer if there is no evidence. If a workshop inspection is possible: the belt condition can be inspected behind its cover, and the pump checked for play.

Where to look: Front of the engine — timing belt, tensioner and water pump behind the belt cover

Parts involved: Timing belt.

Ask the seller

  • “When was the timing belt last replaced, and do you have the invoice?”
  • “Was the water pump replaced at the same time?”
  • “Do you have any Japanese service records or the import auction sheet?”

02CVT Thermal Overload and Limp-Home Activation

The INVECS-III CVT in the Mirage is dimensioned for flat-road economy driving.petrol2012–2020Transmission
OccasionalTransmission $200–$7,000 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The INVECS-III CVT in the Mirage is dimensioned for flat-road economy driving. Under sustained high-load conditions — extended hill climbing, repeated towing, aggressive overtaking on open road, or prolonged stop-start in hot weather — the transmission fluid temperature rises beyond the design threshold. The ECU detects this via the CVT fluid temperature sensor and activates a thermal protection strategy: torque is cut and the transmission is locked into a high-ratio 'limp' gear to allow cooling. Multiple owners report the vehicle becoming undriveable on New Zealand hill terrain (Wellington/Dunedin gradients). Some early 2012–2015 models lack an external CVT oil cooler, making them significantly more vulnerable.

Symptoms to notice

  • Sudden loss of acceleration power during sustained uphill driving
  • CVT temperature warning or transmission warning light illuminating after 10+ minutes of demanding driving
  • Vehicle locked into a single gear ratio with no response to throttle changes
  • Normal operation resuming after 15–30 minutes of stationary cooling
  • CVT fluid colour darkening rapidly between services in vehicles used on hilly routes

What to check

  1. Check whether an auxiliary CVT oil cooler has been factory-fitted or aftermarket-added (look for a small radiator in front of or below the main radiator).
  2. During test drive on a hill or sustained motorway on-ramp at full throttle, watch for any power reduction or dashboard warning light.
  3. Ask a workshop to read CVT fluid temperature data with a scan tool after a demanding drive.

Where to look: CVT oil sump temperature sensor; auxiliary cooler (if fitted) in front of radiator

Ask the seller

  • “Has the car ever lost power on a hill or had a transmission warning light come on?”
  • “Is an auxiliary CVT oil cooler fitted, or has one been added aftermarket?”
  • “Has the vehicle been used for towing or regularly driven on steep gradients?”

03CVT INVECS-III Push-Belt Judder on Acceleration

During test drive: accelerate gently from standstill between 10–40 km/h and hold steady throttle.petrol2012–2023Transmission
Very commonTransmission $180–$6,500 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The INVECS-III CVT fitted to A03A/A05A Mirages uses a push-belt running between variable-diameter pulleys. When the dedicated CVT fluid (Mitsubishi SP-III/DiaQueen CVTF-J1) degrades — typically after 60,000+ km or in stop-start city use — the belt micro-slips on the pulley faces, producing a pronounced shudder during light-throttle take-off and low-speed cruising. Mitsubishi issued TSB MUT-0120CVTF covering an urgent fluid drain-and-refill procedure. Many cars reach NZ/AU with fluid never changed, making judder almost universal in high-mileage examples.

Symptoms to notice

  • Rhythmic shudder or vibration felt through the cabin at 10–40 km/h light throttle
  • Hesitation then lurch when pulling away from traffic lights
  • Shudder worsens when engine is cold and diminishes (but does not disappear) once fully warm
  • Occasional harsh engagement when selecting Drive from Park after the vehicle has sat overnight
  • Burnt or discoloured CVT fluid on inspection

What to check

During test drive: accelerate gently from standstill between 10–40 km/h and hold steady throttle. Any vibration or rhythmic shudder through the driveline at light throttle indicates belt slip. Also check CVT fluid colour via dipstick or drain plug — should be pale pink/red, not dark brown or burnt-smelling.

Where to look: CVT unit beneath engine bay, driver-side of transmission tunnel

Parts involved: CVT belt and pulleys.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the CVT fluid ever been replaced, and if so, at what odometer reading?”
  • “Have you noticed any shudder or vibration when pulling away slowly?”
  • “Has the car ever been in a workshop for CVT-related work or diagnostic codes?”

043A92 Timing Chain Guide Wear — Cold-Start Rattle

Cold-start the engine after it has been off overnight.petrol2012–2019Engine
CommonEngine $650–$2,200 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The 1.2 L 3A92 three-cylinder uses a plastic-composite timing chain guide and tensioner rail on the wet side of the engine. In production years 2012–2017 the guide material is insufficiently robust for the short oil-film build-up time at cold start, leading to accelerated wear. The worn guide allows the chain to whip against the aluminium cover, producing a characteristic metallic rattle for the first 5–30 seconds after a cold start. If left unaddressed the guide can fragment, depositing plastic into the oil sump; in severe cases the chain skips timing and causes bent valves. Mitsubishi issued a revised guide kit (part prefix MD-series) as a running production change from approximately 2018.

The front of a dual overhead camshaft engine with the timing cover removed, exposing the timing chain and sprockets.Example of the part — not this vehicle

The front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.

Logansenf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Metallic rattling noise at cold start that clears within 30 seconds
  • Rattle is louder in cold ambient temperatures (below 10°C)
  • Engine oil inspection reveals fine plastic or metallic particles
  • Check Engine light with camshaft/crankshaft correlation code (P0016/P0017) in advanced cases
  • Visible blue or white smoke on start-up if guide debris has contaminated piston rings

What to check

  1. Cold-start the engine after it has been off overnight.
  2. Listen from the passenger-side front wheel arch area for a metallic chain rattle that disappears within 30 seconds.
  3. Check the oil filler cap for sludge.
  4. Pull the engine oil dipstick and look for grit or metallic debris in the oil.
  5. Ask to see service records confirming regular oil changes at 7,500 km or less.

Where to look: Front of engine block, timing chain cover, passenger side

Parts involved: Timing chain.

Ask the seller

  • “Does the engine make a rattling noise when first started in the morning?”
  • “Has the timing chain or any engine internal components ever been inspected or replaced?”
  • “Can you show me oil change service records for the life of the car?”

05Air Conditioning Compressor Bearing and Clutch Failure

With engine idling, switch AC on and listen for a single sharp click from the compressor clutch engaging, followed by smooth quiet operation.petrol2012–2020Cooling
CommonCooling $700–$1,800 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The AC compressor fitted to both 3A90 and 3A92 Mirage variants (supplied by Sanden or Denso depending on production run) is a known premature failure point. The electromagnetic clutch coil burns out or the front bearing seizes, often before 100,000 km. When the clutch seizes, the compressor locks up and snaps the serpentine drive belt, leaving the vehicle without charging and cooling. In NZ/AU summer conditions the failure rate accelerates due to prolonged AC use. Mitsubishi carried out a quiet warranty extension on AC compressors on some 2014–2016 models in certain markets following elevated warranty claims.

Symptoms to notice

  • Grinding or rumbling noise from the front of the engine that increases with AC on
  • AC system blowing warm air despite compressor engaging
  • Serpentine belt shredding or snapping suddenly (seized compressor)
  • Battery warning light and loss of power steering (loss of drive belt causing alternator failure)
  • Intermittent AC clutch engagement — clicking on and off rapidly

What to check

With engine idling, switch AC on and listen for a single sharp click from the compressor clutch engaging, followed by smooth quiet operation. Any grinding, squealing, or intermittent clunking from the front of the compressor pulley indicates bearing or clutch fault. Also inspect the serpentine belt for fraying, cracking, or signs it has previously slipped or been replaced early.

Where to look: AC compressor mounted low on the driver-side of the engine block; driven by the serpentine accessory belt

Parts involved: Clutch.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the air conditioning system ever stopped working, or has the drive belt been replaced unexpectedly?”
  • “Does the AC cool the cabin to a comfortable temperature in summer?”
  • “Has the AC compressor or any AC components been replaced or repaired?”

065-Speed Manual Clutch Plate Shudder and Premature Wear

During test drive: engage first gear slowly on a slight uphill and release the clutch progressively.petrol2012–2023Transmission
CommonTransmission $750–$1,600 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The 5-speed manual gearbox fitted to the Mirage (paired with both 3A90 and 3A92 engines) uses a single-plate dry clutch with an organic friction disc. The disc is undersized relative to the torque demands of stop-start city driving, particularly when drivers rest the foot on the clutch pedal or engage the clutch at high rpm. The result is accelerated glazing of the friction surface and clutch shudder — a low-frequency vibration on take-off that can be mistaken for engine misfire. Multiple owner forum reports indicate clutch replacement becomes necessary before 80,000 km in typical NZ/AU urban-use conditions. The flywheel surface also develops hot-spots requiring resurfacing or replacement.

Symptoms to notice

  • Vibration or judder through the cabin when taking off from rest in first gear
  • Clutch pedal biting point progressively rising toward fully released position
  • Burning smell from the clutch area during normal urban driving
  • Engine revs rise without proportional increase in vehicle speed under load (clutch slip)
  • Difficulty engaging reverse gear cleanly with a clunk or crunch

What to check

During test drive: engage first gear slowly on a slight uphill and release the clutch progressively. Any vibration, judder or 'chattering' through the pedal indicates glazed or worn clutch disc. Also try pulling away briskly on flat ground — any slip (revs rise disproportionately to vehicle speed) confirms disc wear. Check clutch pedal biting point: if it bites very high (close to fully released) the disc is near end of life.

Where to look: Clutch bell housing between engine and gearbox; accessible from beneath the vehicle

Parts involved: Clutch.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the clutch ever been replaced, and at what odometer reading?”
  • “Do you feel any vibration or shudder when pulling away from a standstill?”
  • “Does the clutch pedal feel normal — does it engage at roughly mid-travel?”
Body, brakes, suspension & interior3

01Corrosion on Japanese-import Mirages — sills, arches and strut towers

petrol1991–2003Body & Rust
Very commonBody & Rust $600–$5,000 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

Unconfirmed. This entry does not match our record of which engines and years this model was sold with, and is awaiting review. Confirm it against the car before acting on it.

Mirages of this era in New Zealand are almost all Japanese used imports, and cars built for the Japanese market were given noticeably less corrosion protection than export cars because Japan does not salt its roads. Landed here, and especially near the coast, they rust from underneath and from the inside out: inner sills, rear wheel arch lips, the floor around the seat mounts, and the strut towers under the bonnet. Structural rust near a suspension mounting point is an outright WoF failure in New Zealand, and on a car worth very little the repair can easily exceed its value — which makes this the single check that decides whether a cheap Mirage is a bargain or a write-off.

Symptoms to notice

  • Bubbling or blistering paint along wheel arch lips and door bottoms
  • Flaking, layered metal visible underneath
  • Damp carpets or a musty smell inside
  • Fresh thick underseal hiding the underbody

What to check

  1. Kneel at each wheel with a phone torch and run a finger along the arch lip and the seam where the sill meets the floor — bubbling paint means rust already through from behind, not surface rust.
  2. Look under the car at the sills and floor for scaly, layered corrosion rather than light brown film.
  3. Open the bonnet and check the strut towers where the suspension bolts up.
  4. Lift the boot carpet and the spare wheel and inspect the well for damp, rust or fresh sealer.
  5. Press the carpets in both footwells for dampness.
  6. Be suspicious of very fresh, thick underseal, which more often hides than protects.
  7. Ask to see the last WoF sheet and any advisory notes, and check the expiry date.
  8. If a workshop inspection is possible: have it on a hoist and the sills tapped and probed — sound metal and filler feel entirely different, and on this car that distinction is the whole purchase decision.

Where to look: Inner sills, rear wheel arch lips, floor and seat mounts, strut towers, boot floor

Parts involved: Body corrosion, Shock absorber / strut.

Ask the seller

  • “Is this a Japanese import, and do you have the import and compliance paperwork?”
  • “Has any rust repair or welding been done, and where?”
  • “Has it ever failed a WoF, and what for?”

02Lower Body and Sill Rust — Accelerated Corrosion in NZ/AU Conditions

petrol2012–2020Body & Rust
OccasionalBody & Rust $300–$3,500 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The Mirage A03A/A05A body shell uses thin-gauge high-strength steel with paint and e-coat protection calibrated for Japanese domestic market conditions. In New Zealand coastal and high-rainfall environments and Australian coastal cities, the lower door sills, rear wheel arch lips, underside of the front subframe mounts, and floor pan edges are documented corrosion hotspots. Stone chips and kerb damage compromise the paint, and moisture ingress causes rust to form beneath the paint surface and bubble outward. Rust on the subframe mounting points is structurally significant and may cause a vehicle to fail WOF/RWC. The issue is particularly prevalent in cars used in Wellington, Northland, and coastal Queensland.

Symptoms to notice

  • Paint bubbling or blistering on lower door sills or wheel arch lips without visible stone chip cause
  • Brown water staining inside the cabin at the base of the A or B pillars
  • Soft or spongy feel when pressing lower sill panels — indicating metal perforation beneath paint
  • Visible orange surface rust or scaling on underbody subframe brackets
  • WOF rejection or advisory citing structural corrosion on floor or chassis rails

What to check

  1. Inspect lower door sills by crouching at each door — press the metal with a thumb and listen for a hollow crunch indicating rust perforation beneath paint.
  2. Lift rubber sill trims and check beneath.
  3. Inspect rear wheel arch lips for bubbling paint or scale.
  4. Get underneath the vehicle (use a torch) and inspect the front subframe mounting points and floor pan edges for surface rust or perforation.
  5. Check if any underseal has been professionally applied or if cheap rubberised paint covers active rust.

Where to look: Lower door sills, rear wheel arch lips, front subframe mounts, front floor pan edges

Parts involved: Body corrosion.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the vehicle spent most of its life near the coast or in a high-rainfall area?”
  • “Has any rust treatment or underseal been professionally applied, and do you have documentation?”
  • “Has the car ever had a WOF advisory or failure related to body condition or corrosion?”

03Electric Power Steering (EPS) Motor and Control Unit Fault

With the engine running, turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock slowly in a car park.petrol2012–2018Suspension
OccasionalSuspension $450–$1,400 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The Mirage uses a column-mounted electric power steering (C-EPS) system. The EPS motor and its dedicated ECU are documented failure items, particularly on 2012–2016 cars driven on rough sealed roads. Common failure modes include the EPS motor brushes wearing out, the torque sensor losing calibration, or the control unit developing internal relay faults. When the EPS ECU detects a fault it disables power assist entirely and illuminates the EPS warning light. Steering reverts to fully manual — still controllable but significantly heavier, particularly at low speed and parking. In some documented cases the fault is intermittent and only appears after the vehicle warms up.

Symptoms to notice

  • Orange or red EPS/steering warning light illuminating on the dashboard
  • Sudden increase in steering effort (feels like power assist has switched off)
  • Intermittent heavy steering that resolves when the car cools down or is restarted
  • Steering wheel failing to self-centre at road speed
  • Groaning or grinding noise from the steering column when turning at low speed

What to check

With the engine running, turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock slowly in a car park. Power assist should be smooth and consistent throughout — any sudden increase in effort, jerking, or the EPS warning light flickering indicates motor or sensor fault. Also check: on a straight road at 40 km/h, the wheel should return to centre naturally; if it does not, the torque sensor calibration is suspect.

Where to look: EPS motor mounted on the steering column behind the dashboard; EPS ECU co-located or under the dashboard on the driver side

Parts involved: Steering rack.

Ask the seller

  • “Has an EPS or steering warning light ever come on while driving?”
  • “Have you noticed the steering becoming suddenly heavier, even briefly?”
  • “Has the power steering system been diagnosed or any steering components replaced?”

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Mitsubishi Space Star’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

Other Mitsubishi models

Mitsubishi Outlander47 documented faultsMitsubishi Lancer39 documented faultsMitsubishi Pajero39 documented faultsMitsubishi 3808 documented faultsMitsubishi Canter6 documented faultsMitsubishi Grandis6 documented faults

Mitsubishi Space Star buyer questions

Is the Mitsubishi Space Star reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 9 documented faults for the Mitsubishi Space Star, the recurring problem areas are body & rust, engine, and transmission. A Mitsubishi Space Star with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.

What are the most common problems with a used Mitsubishi Space Star?

We've catalogued 9 known faults for the Mitsubishi Space Star, covering body & rust, engine, and transmission. All 9 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Mitsubishi Space Star?

Most single repairs on the Mitsubishi Space Star fall between $500–$2,200 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 9 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.

Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Mitsubishi Space Star?

Yes. A Mitsubishi Space Star inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.