Used car guide

2012 Mitsubishi Colt: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Mitsubishi Colts, from 1,388 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,388MOT tests in 2025

63%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)

5,300typical miles a year

14.3×the usual rate for anti-roll bar link bushes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Mitsubishi Colts than on all cars registered in 2012.

Anti-roll bar link bushes14.3× usual

Mitsubishi Colt
8.6% All 2012 cars
0.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 0.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.
Ball joint dust cover3.1× usual

Mitsubishi Colt
9.1% All 2012 cars
2.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.2% of all 2012 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.
Track rod ends2.2× usual

Mitsubishi Colt
10.8% All 2012 cars
4.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 2.4% of all 2012 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.
Wipers2.6× usual

Mitsubishi Colt
7.6% All 2012 cars
2.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 1.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.
Individual direction indicators2.1× usual

Mitsubishi Colt
6.2% All 2012 cars
3%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 3% here, against 7.3% of all 2012 cars. Ball joint: 2.3% here, against 5.6% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

38% 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.
Tyres

32% 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.
Lights and electrics

26% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

22% 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

11% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

7% of testsRough price £60–£350

At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Mitsubishi Colt?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2011	1,562	Suspension 40%
2010	2,379	Suspension 47%
2009	3,414	Suspension 49%
2008	3,434	Suspension 48%
2007	2,825	Suspension 50%
2006	2,081	Lights and electrics 51%
2005	1,464	Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Mitsubishi Colts registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score