Mitsubishi has discontinued the ASX, Eclipse Cross, Eclipse Cross PHEV, and Pajero Sport in Australia to meet a new autonomous braking rule, and this guide covers what that means for values, bargain buyers, and owners weighing up a sale.
Which Mitsubishi Models Are Discontinued in Australia?
Four models are being dropped: the ASX, the Eclipse Cross, the Eclipse Cross PHEV, and the Pajero Sport. Mitsubishi announced the discontinuation in Australia and it covers two of its small SUVs, the plug-in hybrid version of the Eclipse Cross, and its ladder-frame 4WD. Here is how the line-up shakes out.
| Model | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| ASX | Small SUV | Discontinued |
| Eclipse Cross | Small SUV | Discontinued |
| Eclipse Cross PHEV | Plug-in hybrid SUV | Discontinued |
| Pajero Sport | Ladder-frame 4WD | Discontinued |
The bigger sellers in the range, like the Outlander and Triton, are not on this list. This is a targeted cull of the models that no longer fit where Mitsubishi is heading, not a retreat from the Australian market.
Why Is Mitsubishi Discontinuing These Models?
The short answer is new safety law. Australian Design Rule 98/00 demands advanced autonomous emergency braking on new vehicles, and these models were never engineered for that standard. Mitsubishi weighed up the cost of retrofitting the tech into ageing platforms against the return, and decided it was not worth it.
AEB uses sensors to detect an imminent collision and brake automatically if the driver does not react in time. It is now baseline expectation on a new car, not a premium extra. Re-engineering a model that is already near the end of its life to hit a moving regulatory target is expensive, and for cars that were not selling in huge numbers the maths did not add up. So instead of a costly redesign, Mitsubishi is letting them go.
This is not just a Mitsubishi problem either. It is part of a wider pattern where smaller, older models get quietly dropped because they cannot justify the cost of keeping up with tightening rules. When the price of compliance climbs past what a slow-selling model earns back, the badge gets retired rather than rebuilt.
What Happens to the Value of a Discontinued Car?
Almost always, it falls. A car becoming discontinued does not make it rare in a way that matters, and none of these four have the ingredients that turn an ordinary car into a sought-after one. Discontinued cars have had mixed fates over the years. A few climb, like the Toyota FJ Cruiser, which built a cult following and went up in value. Most fall into a long slide of depreciation and just get harder to shift on the used market.
There is a second cost owners forget about. Cars discontinued for safety reasons can be more expensive to insure, because repair costs creep up, parts get harder to source, and the safety rating that made them fine a few years ago now sits below the new standard. That pushes running costs up at the same time resale value drifts down.
Here is the honest read on each one.
| Model | Why it is unlikely to appreciate |
|---|---|
| ASX | Reliable, economical, and practical, but not iconic. No standout feature or emotional pull to build cult status. |
| Eclipse Cross | Rode on a sporty name but stayed more crossover than icon. Functional, without the personality or performance enthusiasts chase. |
| Eclipse Cross PHEV | Some short-term appeal for eco-minded buyers, but it never made a big enough impact to hold strong resale. |
| Pajero Sport | The wildcard. The Pajero name still carries weight with 4WD fans, but the appeal is niche, so values are likelier to hold steady than soar. |
Compare that to the way certain old cars became icons. The FJ Cruiser had rugged charm. The Holden Commodore had genuine Aussie status. The ASX is dependable, and dependable is a good thing to own, but it is not the same thing as collectible. For owners that means the opposite of a windfall. Once a model is off sale, depreciation usually speeds up and parts availability becomes a question mark further down the track, especially for a niche version like the Eclipse Cross PHEV. If you want a realistic figure before you decide anything, run yours through our car valuation tools.
Is a Discontinued Mitsubishi a Good Buy for Bargain Hunters?
It can be, if you are buying rather than selling. Dealers clearing the last of the run-out stock often knock a real chunk off the price, so a discontinued model on the floor can be a genuinely good deal on a dependable car. You are trading future resale for a lower price today, which stacks up nicely if you plan to keep it for years and drive it into the ground.
Just go in with eyes open. Resale will be softer than a current model, and over time the same parts and insurance issues that hit today's owners will apply to you. The value is in the driving years you get, not in what the badge will be worth later. If you are weighing up alternatives, our rundown of the best small cars in Australia and the smartest buys this year are worth a look, and how to avoid buying a lemon is handy before you sign anything.
What Is Mitsubishi Replacing Them With?
Not a like-for-like swap, but there is new metal coming. Mitsubishi has confirmed a next-generation ASX and a new Outlander PHEV, both part of its Momentum 2030 strategy. That plan points the brand firmly at hybrids and electric vehicles rather than the older petrol platforms it is retiring now.
In other words, the models being axed are making room. The name ASX survives into the next generation, while the plug-in hybrid torch passes from the Eclipse Cross PHEV to the Outlander PHEV. If you want to see where the wider market is going, the shift toward electric is worth watching, and cars like the Zeekr 001 heading to Australia show how fast the new arrivals are moving. Mitsubishi is reading the same room, not walking away from it.
Should You Sell Your ASX, Eclipse Cross or Pajero Sport Now?
If you are thinking about moving one on, sooner beats later. The right time to sell a vehicle that has just been discontinued is as soon as possible, because the value pressure only builds from here. Right now the model still has name recognition and a used market that understands it. Give it a year of run-out discounts on the last new stock and accelerating depreciation, and the ground shifts under private resale prices.
There is a flip side worth naming. The same run-out bargains that make a discontinued model a good buy are bad news if you are trying to sell the same car privately, because you are competing head-on with a dealer discount. It is one more reason not to sit on the decision.
Selling privately means sorting the paperwork, and in Queensland that includes a safety certificate for a registered car. You can read the detail in our guide to the roadworthy certificate in QLD, and the full document list in what you need to sell your car. It also pays to know how to spot a car selling scam before you deal with strangers online. If you would rather skip all of that, selling to a licensed dealer takes the roadworthy, the advertising, and the tyre-kickers off your plate.
We buy Mitsubishis right across South East Queensland, from Brisbane out to the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, and North Lakes. As a licensed dealer we are the kind of used car buyers in Brisbane who handle the transfer, the pickup, and the payment for you, and we are rated 5 out of 5 across 100+ verified Google reviews.
We buy ASX, Eclipse Cross, Pajero Sport and every other Mitsubishi, discontinued or not. Licensed QLD dealer, free pickup across SE QLD, and same-day bank transfer once we agree a price.
Get a price for your MitsubishiFrequently Asked Questions
Is the Mitsubishi Outlander being discontinued as well?
No. The Outlander is one of Mitsubishi's core sellers and is not part of this round of cuts. In fact a new Outlander PHEV is on the way as part of the Momentum 2030 plan, so the nameplate is staying and getting refreshed, not retired.
Will I still be able to get parts and servicing for a discontinued Mitsubishi?
Yes for now, but it is a fair thing to keep an eye on. Servicing and common parts stay available for years after a model leaves the showroom. Over the longer term, parts for a discontinued model can get harder to source, which is one of the reasons values tend to drift down rather than up.
Does a car being discontinued mean it was unreliable?
Not at all. These models are being dropped because of the cost of meeting the new AEB safety rule, not because of reliability. The ASX in particular built a reputation as a dependable, no-drama small SUV. Discontinuation here is a business and regulation decision, not a verdict on how the cars drive.
How much does discontinuation knock off my Mitsubishi's resale value?
There is no fixed figure, and it depends on the model, age, condition, and kilometres. The pattern is what matters: once a car is off sale, depreciation usually accelerates and run-out discounts on the last new stock drag used prices with them. Getting a current valuation is the only way to see where yours actually sits.
Will a discontinued model cost more to insure?
It can. Cars pulled from sale over safety rules sometimes carry higher premiums, because repairs get pricier, parts get scarcer, and the safety rating sits under the newer standard. It is worth getting a quote rather than assuming your premium stays put, since that running cost eats into what the car is really worth to keep.
Do I need a roadworthy to sell my Mitsubishi in Brisbane?
For a registered car in a private sale in Queensland, yes, a current safety certificate is part of the deal. Selling to a licensed dealer removes that step. If you are anywhere across Brisbane and SE QLD and want to skip the roadworthy, advertising, and inspections, selling to a dealer is the simpler path.
Sell Any Car Fast is a licensed QLD motor dealer (DLN 4871214). This article is general information about the Australian car market, not financial or legal advice. Model line-ups, insurance costs, and regulations can change, so confirm the latest details with Mitsubishi Australia or your insurer before you buy or sell.
