Used car guide

2013 Mitsubishi Colt: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Mitsubishi Colts, from 494 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 494 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

494MOT tests in 2025
64%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
5,300typical miles a year
15×the usual rate for anti-roll bar link bushes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Mitsubishi Colts than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes15× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    7.5% All 2013 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.1% of all 2013 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.

  • Wipers3.3× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    9.3% All 2013 cars
    2.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 1.8% of all 2013 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.6× usual
    Mitsubishi Colt
    6.7% All 2013 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 1.1% of all 2013 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.

By area

The share of 2013 Mitsubishi Colt MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Suspension
    29% 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
    24% 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
    19% 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
    13% 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
    6% 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

YearMOT testsMost flagged
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%
2004313Suspension 59%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Mitsubishi Colts registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score