Small car · 1996–2020 cars
Mitsubishi Colt reliability
The Mitsubishi Colt fails 44.8% of first MOT tests, 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 79,968 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mitsubishi Colt before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 44.8%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 18% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 79,968
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 5,900
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mitsubishi Colt ages
Each point is the share of Mitsubishi Colts of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mitsubishi Colt | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 29.4% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 29.8% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 32% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 35.2% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 38.7% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 43.9% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 46.9% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 47.3% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 48.6% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 48.4% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 49% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 51.5% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 51.8% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 45.3% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 46.4% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 47.1% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 46.2% | 37.1% |
| 25 | 57.7% | 35.8% |
By year
The best and worst Mitsubishi Colt years
2011 cars come out best and 2008 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Colt | 1,671 | 30.5% | 12% more fails | 56,433 |
| 2012 Colt | 4,606 | 34.3% | 18% more fails | 59,855 |
| 2011 Colt | 5,173 | 34.9% | 9% more fails | 66,536 |
| 2010 Colt | 8,159 | 40.9% | 16% more fails | 72,409 |
| 2009 Colt | 12,685 | 43.9% | 18% more fails | 76,065 |
| 2008 Colt | 14,847 | 48.4% | 24% more fails | 79,645 |
| 2007 Colt | 12,723 | 48.3% | 19% more fails | 85,302 |
| 2006 Colt | 9,881 | 47.6% | 15% more fails | 87,267 |
| 2005 Colt | 7,118 | 48.5% | 15% more fails | 90,653 |
| 2004 Colt | 1,568 | 51.1% | 21% more fails | 91,780 |
| 2002 | 270 | 41.5% | 8% more fails | 68,384 |
| 2000 | 227 | 47.6% | 30% more fails | 69,313 |
| 1999 | 271 | 48.7% | 39% more fails | 76,971 |
| 1998 | 301 | 56.8% | 62% more fails | 84,956 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Mitsubishi Colt
Its weak spot is steering: 85% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics23.9%39% above avg
- Suspension14.7%4% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure9.4%58% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors9%46% above avg
- Brakes8%17% below avg
- Tyres7.7%17% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.6%12% above avg
- Steering5.1%85% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags2.8%73% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 6.39% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 5.57% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
CV joint boot split or insecure 5.47% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 4
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.42% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 5
Registration plate lamp not working 3.44% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
- 6
Stop lamp not working 3.38% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 7
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.18% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 8
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 2.82% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mitsubishi Colt's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit13.71%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking12.75%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion9.13%
- Brake disc pitted or scored8.03%
- Brake pads wearing thin5.94%
- Exhaust has minor gas leak4.39%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mitsubishi Colt
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 4
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Mitsubishi Colt covers about 5,900 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol92%
- Diesel8%
- Electric0%
- LPG0%
- Other0%
Most common colours
Blue, Black, Silver, Red, Grey
Average engine size: 1.3 litres.
Compare
How the Mitsubishi Colt compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| MINI Clubman | 16.1% | 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Ignis | 23.5% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Mito | 36.9% | 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi Colt | 44.8% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Getz | 46.2% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai ix20 | 26.9% | 24% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat 500L | 33.7% | 30% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Mitsubishi models.
Questions
Mitsubishi Colt questions, answered
Is the Mitsubishi Colt reliable?
On MOT results, the Mitsubishi Colt is below average: it fails 44.8% of first MOT tests, 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 30 of 63 small car models in our index.
What fails most on a Mitsubishi Colt MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mitsubishi Colt are position lamp not working (6.39% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (5.57% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (5.47% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 23.9% of its tests.
Which Mitsubishi Colt year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2011 cars do best (9% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2008 cars do worst (24% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Mitsubishi Colt do a year?
A typical Mitsubishi Colt covers about 5,900 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Mitsubishi Colt before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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