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. Two are set out in full below — the rest, with the symptoms, repair costs and checks for each, are free with an account.
9
Documented faults
Critical
Most serious
$500–$2,200
Typical repair
5
Systems covered
Known Mitsubishi Space Star faults
Every fault below is documented specifically for this model — researched and verified before it’s published.
01Corrosion on Japanese-import Mirages — sills, arches and strut towers
CriticalVery commonBody & Rust $600–$5,000 to fix
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
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. Look under the car at the sills and floor for scaly, layered corrosion rather than light brown film. Open the bonnet and check the strut towers where the suspension bolts up. Lift the boot carpet and the spare wheel and inspect the well for damp, rust or fresh sealer. Press the carpets in both footwells for dampness. Be suspicious of very fresh, thick underseal, which more often hides than protects. Ask to see the last WoF sheet and any advisory notes, and check the expiry date. 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
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?”
02Air Conditioning Compressor Bearing and Clutch Failure
MinorCommonCooling $700–$1,800 to fix
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
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?”
EngineCritical
TransmissionMajor
TransmissionMajor
Body & RustMajor
EngineMajor
TransmissionMinor
SuspensionMinor
7 more documented faults on the Mitsubishi Space Star
Symptoms, what to check, where to look and what to ask the seller — for every fault above. Free with an account, no card needed. One account covers one vehicle, so make it the car you’re actually looking at.
This page covers the model. Enter the plate of the actual car you’re looking at and see its year, engine, safety rating and register flags — free, no account needed.
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?
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We've catalogued 9 known faults for the Mitsubishi Space Star, covering body & rust, engine, and transmission. Two are written out in full on this page. The rest — with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each — are free once you create an account.
How much do repairs cost on a Mitsubishi Space Star?
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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?
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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 $17.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.