To investigate the influence factors of low-temperature virtual indirect tensile test for asphalt mixtures. Two-dimensional models of the indirect tensile (IDT) test for asphalt mixtures were developed using discrete element method (DEM), and the effects of aggregate models, aggregate shapes, air voids and loading directions on the simulation results (IDT test strength and maximum horizontal tensile stress) were studies based on these models. Results indicate that during the low-temperature virtual IDT test of asphalt mixtures, the aggregate model has a significant impact on the efficiency of numerical simulation calculation, the contact force chain in the internal structure, and the crack propagation path. Compared with aggregate equivalent ellipse models and equivalent polygon models, the simulation results for actual aggregate boundary models show less variability. Air voids has a significant impact on the IDT test strength and maximum horizontal tensile stress, and the larger the air voids, the smaller the IDT test strength and maximum horizontal tensile stress. The numerical simulation results of IDT test exhibit anisotropy in different loading directions.