Used car guide

2004 Mitsubishi Colt: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Mitsubishi Colts, from 313 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 313 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

313MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
4,400typical miles a year
3.7×the usual rate for ball joint dust cover

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Mitsubishi Colts than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Ball joint dust cover3.7× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    17.6% All 2004 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.8% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Coil springs2× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    21.7% All 2004 cars
    10.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 2.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Number plate lights2× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    16% All 2004 cars
    8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 2.2% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Headlight aim2.2× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    14.4% All 2004 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 14.4%, against 6.6% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

  • Track rod ends2.1× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    13.7% All 2004 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 2.9% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 6.4% here, against 15.8% of all 2004 cars.

By area

The share of 2004 Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    59% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    52% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    38% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    30% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    14% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    11% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2013494Tyres 33%
20121,388Suspension 38%
20111,562Suspension 40%
20102,379Suspension 47%
20093,414Suspension 49%
20083,434Suspension 48%
20072,825Suspension 50%
20062,081Lights and electrics 51%
20051,464Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Mitsubishi Colts registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score