Mitsubishi Mirage — Price, Faults & Buyer's Guide

Everything you need to know before buying a used Mitsubishi Mirage in South Africa — pricing by mileage, known faults, a buyer's inspection checklist, maintenance schedule and real owner feedback.

Fuel-EfficientCity CarBudget-FriendlyDated Tech
7.2
Good Value
Affordable, fuel-efficient city car with solid reliability; lacks power and modern tech but excellent for budget-conscious buyers.
Est. Retail
R178k
Est. Trade
R155k
Annual Sales (SA)
~3,200
5yr Depreciation
62%
Mitsubishi Mirage price in South Africa by mileageMedium confidence
Mileage bandTrade-in estimateRetail estimate
0 – 20,000 km kmEst. R159k–R253kEst. R194k–R290k
20,001 – 40,000 km kmEst. R141k–R225kEst. R172k–R258k
40,001 – 60,000 km kmEst. R125k–R198kEst. R152k–R228k
60,001 – 80,000 km kmEst. R110k–R175kEst. R134k–R202k
80,001 – 100,000 km kmEst. R98k–R156kEst. R120k–R179k
100,001 – 120,000 km kmEst. R86k–R137kEst. R105k–R157k
120,001 – 140,000 km kmEst. R76k–R121kEst. R93k–R139k
140,001 – 160,000 km kmEst. R67k–R107kEst. R82k–R123k
160,001 – 180,000 km kmEst. R60k–R95kEst. R73k–R109k
180,001 – 200,000 km kmEst. R53k–R84kEst. R65k–R97k
200,000+ km kmEst. R47k–R75kEst. R58k–R87k

Prices are estimated using modelled data for the SA market and may vary from an official industry valuation. Want the exact price for a specific vehicle? Use our Industry Valuation Report.

Common Mitsubishi Mirage problems & repair costs
CVT Transmission Longevity
Continuously variable transmission can suffer premature wear if servicing is neglected; verify full service history and fluid changes at proper intervals.
Severity: MediumEst. repair: R4,500–R8,500Common at: 80k+ km
Weak Air Conditioning
AC compressor and condenser issues reported in post-2020 units; check cooling performance and listen for compressor noise during inspection.
Severity: MediumEst. repair: R3,500–R7,200Common at: 60k+ km
Door Lock Actuators
Electric door locks can fail, leaving doors unlocked or stuck; test all four doors multiple times and check for warning lights on dash.
Severity: LowEst. repair: R1,200–R2,800Common at: 70k+ km
Buyer's inspection checklist
🔧Engine & Drivetrain
CVT fluid colour and smellDark or burnt-smelling fluid signals internal wear and costly transmission repair.
Acceleration smoothness under loadHesitation or shuddering indicates CVT slippage or sensor faults.
🚗Body & Exterior
Roof and panel gaps for rust or corrosionMirage bodies corrode quickly in coastal or wet climates; rust repairs are costly.
Headlight and taillight conditionMoisture ingress is common; replacement clusters are expensive relative to car value.
💡Interior & Electronics
Air conditioning cold at idle and full throttleAC failures in hot climates are common; compressor replacement is R4,500+.
All door locks and central locking operationActuators fail prematurely; manual windows and basic locks are hard to maintain.
📋Service History
Complete service record with CVT fluid changesNeglected CVT servicing leads to catastrophic failure; budget CVT failure is R18k+.
Recall and TSB compliance documentationMitsubishi issued safety recalls for door locks and electrical faults in 2023–2024.
Recommended maintenance schedule
highCVT fluid and filter changeTransmission failure
Every 40,000 km or annually
R950–R1,800
highEngine oil and filter changeEngine wear and sludge
Every 10,000 km or 6 months
R350–R650
mediumBrake fluid flush and pad inspectionBrake fade and corrosion
Every 50,000 km or 2 years
R800–R1,500
mediumAir filter and cabin filter replacementPoor air quality and engine efficiency loss
Every 30,000 km
R250–R450
Mitsubishi Mirage owner reviews
Owners praise the Mirage's fuel economy and affordability but cite poor acceleration, cramped cabin, and transmission reliability concerns. (62/100 owner approval)
👍
Exceptional Fuel Economy
Real-world consumption consistently achieves 4.2–4.8 L/100 km in mixed driving, making it one of SA's most economical new cars. City running costs are minimal.
👍
Affordable Purchase and Ownership
Entry-level pricing and low insurance premiums make it ideal for first-time and budget-conscious buyers. Spare parts availability is good.
👎
CVT Transmission Concerns
Several owners report hesitation, shuddering, and premature wear; some units failed before 80,000 km despite regular servicing.
👎
Weak Performance and Dated Interior
0–100 time of 10.8 seconds feels sluggish; interior plastics are hard and cabin is tight for five adults. No modern infotainment or safety tech.
Mitsubishi Mirage specifications
Engine1.2L 3-cyl MIVEC petrol
Power78 kW @ 6,000 rpm
Torque100 N·m @ 4,000 rpm
TransmissionAutomatic CVT (Continuous Variable)
Fuel consumption4.5 L/100 km combined
Fuel tank42 L
Boot capacity251 L
Kerb weight860 kg
Top speed175 km/h
0–100 km/h10.8 seconds
Service interval10,000 km or 6 months
Service planNot standard; budget R800–R1,500 per service
Warranty3 years / 100,000 km (original); used car typically none
Original priceR289,000 (2024 GLS AT)
Frequently asked questions

A used Mitsubishi Mirage typically retails from around R178k depending on year, mileage and condition, with trade-in value around R155k. See the full pricing table above for estimates across all mileage bands.

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All information is either scraped, searched from live sources or AI training data. It is intended as a general research guide only and may not represent actual transaction values for a specific vehicle. RideReport is not a licensed valuations provider.